UK Crops To Suffer: Farming Practices to Alter

Pem Charnley — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:07:37 +0000

I’m quite the dreadful snob when it comes to the consumption of alcohol. Whereas the less intellectual types may sit on verandas, sipping red wine, discussing Voltaire, I’m indoors, crate of cheap lager at my side, football on the telly.

Whereas they may swill the grape juice, inhale the aroma and swoon over the subtleties cascading o’er the taste buds, I’m already on my third can and the match yet to start.

But my, how I jolted when I came across a story suggesting that English vineyards may, in decades to come, suffer because our summers are set to become too hot.

Beer Shortages May Be Coming Due to Climate Change

Philip Proefrock — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 21:01:42 +0000

Among the many other ill effects it is causing, global climate change may also be contributing to failures of hops and barley crops. Without these two essential ingredients, the supply of beer will be reduced, and prices for what remains will rise dramatically.

According to Jim Salinger, a climate scientist at New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, the warming globe will likely cause a decline in the production of malting barley, which, when combined with the scarcity of hops right now, stands to have a profound and negative impact on the world’s beer supply starting now, and for decades to come.

More information at Treehugger.

Image Source: Tnarik - via Flickr CC photo

Green Options » crop failure

UK Crops To Suffer: Farming Practices to Alter

Beer Shortages May Be Coming Due to Climate Change