Peter Johnston
Research StaffPeter Johnston is a climate scientist at the University of Cape Town. He was previously a high school teacher and principal, between 1986 and 1999. His current research focuses on the applications and impacts of climate variability and change on various user sectors. He specialises in agriculture and water-related activities with special emphasis on vulnerability and adaptation options. His interests and involvement have taken him to many African countries to learn from, and contribute to, other water and agricultural adaptive practices to climate change and variability. Recent research included the application of models to determine the financial impacts and sustainable adaptation options for agriculture under climate change scenarios for commercial and small-scale farmers. Other work is focused on the climate risks and decision-making time frames associated with agriculture, water and food security for the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, and the impact of climate change on the financial vulnerability of maize, grape, wheat and citrus farmers in South Africa. Currently, he is involved in East Africa, in the CONFER project to develop climate services. His role is in training and capacity building. He has also just concluded a project with Grain SA in building climate resilience among grain farmers in the WC, FS, NW, EC and NC provinces of South Africa. He is actively involved in identifying vulnerabilities in other agricultural sectors such as deciduous fruit, nuts, livestock, and dairy. He was widely consulted during the recent South-Western Cape drought, and designed, and assisted in developing, a statistical model to predict annual and seasonal rainfall totals for the region. He also advises and contributes to the assessment of water usage and public perception towards drought, as well as fire risk and exposure. He has numerous publications and he co-authored the South African chapter of Southern African Agriculture and Climate Change, IFPRI, 2013). He has delivered many public lectures on climate, water and agricultural issues and is regularly consulted by media for comment on topical weather and climate events. He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at Murdoch University in Perth, Australia.
Personal SitePublications
sourced from ORCID (0000-0003-3329-0334): see full ORCID profile
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Landman WA, Tadross MA, Archer E, Johnston P,  (2023) Probabilistic vs deterministic forecasts – interpreting skill statistics for the benefit of users
Water SA
doi:cfc570ad-fd96-439a-ae6f-7efdc7272a79
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Luckson Zvobgo, Peter Johnston, Oladapo M. Olagbegi, Nicholas P. Simpson, Christopher H. Trisos,  (2023) Role of Indigenous and local knowledge in seasonal forecasts and climate adaptation: A case study of smallholder farmers in Chiredzi, Zimbabwe
Environmental Science & Policy
doi:10.1016/j.envsci.2023.03.017
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Nyamwanza, A.M., New, M.G., Fujisawa, M., Johnston, P., Hajat, A.,  (2017) Contributions of decadal climate information in agriculture and food systems in east and southern Africa
Climatic Change
doi:10.1007/s10584-017-1990-4
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Fujisawa, M., Kobayashi, K., Johnston, P., New, M.,  (2015) What drives farmers to make top-down or bottom-up adaptation to climate change and fluctuations? A comparative study on 3 cases of apple farming in Japan and South Africa
PLoS ONE
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0120563
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Ziervogel, G., Johnston, P., Matthew, M., Mukheibir, P.,  (2010) Using climate information for supporting climate change adaptation in water resource management in South Africa
Climatic Change
doi:10.1007/s10584-009-9771-3
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Usman, M.T., Archer, E., Johnston, P., Tadross, M.,  (2005) A conceptual framework for enhancing the utility of rainfall hazard forecasts for agriculture in marginal environments
Natural Hazards
doi:10.1007/s11069-004-4349-x
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Johnston, P.A., Archer, E.R.M., Vogel, C.H., Bezuidenhout, C.N., Tennant, W.J., Kuschke, R.,  (2004) Review of seasonal forecasting in South Africa: Producer to end-user
Climate Research
doi:2-s2.0-13844253630
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Johnston, P.A., Fuggle, R.F.,  (1987) Variations in albedo in the Southwestern Cape Province
South African Geographer
doi:2-s2.0-0023557161
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Howard K, Henneke F, Chalwin-Milton OJB., Oosthuizen CJ, Johnston P, Bayliss KL.,  () Plasma activated water offers food security opportunities by increasing shelf life of freshwater fisheries products in South Africa
Food Security
doi:68538449-403b-4b35-88cb-2a97ff7643b7
Posts by pj
- Farming: Growing Food or Growing Money?, 07 Jul 2015 in CSAG Blog and Frontpage
- Why I don’t believe in Climate Change, 18 Aug 2014 in CSAG Blog and Frontpage
- Climate is what we do; weather is what they get……, 29 Aug 2012 in CSAG Blog and Uncategorized