Disruptions to food supplies due to climate change could lead to unrest in the UK in the coming years. This conclusion was reached by British scientists from the University of Cambridge, the University of York and other institutions. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Sustainability.
Experts say shortages of staple foods such as wheat, bread, pasta and grains are the most likely cause of social unrest in the next 50 years. Food shortages are likely to occur due to extreme weather events caused by global warming.
The majority of scientists surveyed (80%) believe that logistical problems will be the most likely cause of social unrest resulting from food shortages in the next 10 years. But in the future, up to half a century, the main cause of rebellions may be crop failures caused by floods, snowfalls, droughts and other weather disasters.
Climate change is already affecting global food production. For example, in 2007, global grain production fell by 8% due to floods and heat waves in Australia, India and the USA.
Experts recommend addressing the problem of social unrest arising from food shortages in two ways: tackling food poverty by helping poor people get the food they need, and promoting sustainable agriculture by reducing the sector’s impact on soil and climate and restoring degraded soils.
Biologists before warnedLess coffee may be grown in the world due to the disappearance of insects that provide pollination.