"A "perfect storm" of food shortages, scarce water and insufficient energy resources threaten to unleash public unrest, cross-border conflicts and mass migration as people flee from the worst-affected regions, the UK government's chief scientist will warn tomorrow. [...]
"We head into a perfect storm in 2030, because all of these things are operating on the same time frame," Beddington told the Guardian. [...]
Food prices for major crops such as wheat and maize have recently settled after a sharp rise last year when production failed to keep up with demand. But according to Beddington, global food reserves are so low – at 14% of annual consumption – a major drought or flood could see prices rapidly escalate again. The majority of the food reserve is grain that is in transit between shipping ports, he said.
"Our food reserves are at a 50-year low, but by 2030 we need to be producing 50% more food. At the same time, we will need 50% more energy, and 30% more fresh water. [...]
In Britain, a global food shortage would drive up import costs and make food more expensive. [...]"
- continuar a ler em Edington: World faces 'perfect storm' of problems by 2030 Science guardian.co.uk
Sem comentários:
Enviar um comentário