Food

Global Impact

The food market worldwide is likely to be considerably altered by climate change. Biofuels are becoming an increasingly popular choice in helping to reduce GHG emissions and combat climate change, but this has implications for global food supplies, as well as food prices. The spread of crop pests is likely to rise together with the global temperature, and extreme weather conditions are predicted to have detrimental effects on agriculture around the world.

Rapeseed flowers

Rapeseed oil, also known as oilseed rape, is used in the manufacture of biodiesel. It is usually combined with fossil fuel diesel, but can also be used on its own. In comparison to other oil sources, such as soya beans, rapeseed produces more oil per acre of land. Growing biofuels changes land usage patterns. The more biofuels that are grown, the less land there will be for growing food crops. This leads to concerns of future global food shortages.

Copyright Shay Knox

Rapeseed flowers
Copyright Shay Knox

Rapeseed flowers

Rapeseed oil, also known as oilseed rape, is used in the manufacture of biodiesel. It is usually combined with fossil fuel diesel, but can also be used on its own. In comparison to other oil sources, such as soya beans, rapeseed produces more oil per acre of land. Growing biofuels changes land usage patterns. The more biofuels that are grown, the less land there will be for growing food crops. This leads to concerns of future global food shortages.

Copyright Shay Knox

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Biofuels and food supply: The more environmentally conscious we become the more we strive to find alternatives to fuels that harm our atmosphere, fuels that meet the requirements of being both portable and clean burning.

Replacement ‘biofuels’ are derived from natural sources such as maize and sugarcane, and plants like rapeseed (used to make vegetable oil). This means that we are now using food crops for other uses. While biofuels have a role to play in the fight against climate change, the issue of global food shortages comes into play as a direct result of their existence.

Small Elephant Hawkmoth

Crop pests: Warmer climates will also mean the spread of parasites and pests blighting crops and trees. Human activities are often the main contributing factor in the spread of these creatures. Proper sewer systems and waste management, chemical pesticides and field burning are all known methods of pest control. However, these methods are often harmful to humans and the environment, or are simply not effective enough.

A powerful strain of rust fungus was discovered in Uganda in 1999 and has successfully destroyed much of the world wheat crop. The strain has spread slowly, but almost no wheat crops are resistant to it. In 2007, airborne spores blew across to Yemen and Sudan. Fortunately, a stem rust resistant crop is being cultivated in areas of Asia to try and combat this deadly fungus, but much of this growth is through trial and error and is rarely an exact science.

Irish Impact

Farmers' market stall

© Cork City Libraries

Farmers' market stall
© Cork City Libraries

Farmers' market stall

© Cork City Libraries

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While Ireland is quite self-sufficient in meat, dairy and fresh produce, climate change will impact on agricultural production. Due to expected water shortages, the type of crops grown in Ireland are likely to change. Droughts are also likely to lead to a reduction in crop yields. Anticipated increases in pests and diseases would have a significant impact on the economy of the agricultural sector.

Ireland has already experienced some of the effects of climate change on the world food market.

In 2003 the price of bread went up by 15% due to the effect the European heat wave had on the wheat market. In 2008, Minister for Food and Agriculture, Trevor Sargent, organized a review of Irish food security amidst fears that the country had no food plan in place for times of possible emergency.

Due to the World Food Price crisis of 2007/2008 Irish charities were finding it increasingly difficult to provide their beneficiaries with sufficient amount of aid. This has a knock-on effect on the basic human right to adequate food and nutrition.

While actual food shortages may not be expected in Ireland, there is still a need to prepare for extreme events such as oil shortages or hauliers’ strikes.