Peter Johnston is a climate scientist at the University of Cape Town. His 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 involvements 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 agricultural 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 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 regional capacity building initiatives in Climate Change adaptation, and in developing a research focused African postgraduate cohort dedicated to alternative food security-enhancing crops. He also advises and contributes to the assessment of water usage and public perception towards drought.
He was widely consulted during the recent SW Cape drought, and designed, and assisted in developing, a statistical model to predict annual rainfall totals for the region.
He has numerous publications and 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.