Share articlePrint articleAustralia's worrying future under climate change was laid bare last week when the first National Climate Risk Assessment was released. Big plans are afoot to turn Northern Australia into Asia's "food bowl", as part of broader development for the region. But any discussion about transforming Northern Australia must confront the climate hazards threatening the region's prosperity. Northern Australia comprises roughly 53% of Australia's land mass. The concept dates back decades, but gained momentum in 2015 when the Abbott government released a national white paper on developing Northern Australia.