This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Monday, 1 August 2022
Cropping the UK's Crops?
Is it really news that 'future hot summers could affect Britain's food security, as growers experience the impacts of climate change'? (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/aug/01/uk-farmers-count-cost-as-heatwave-kills-fruit-and-vegetable-crops). The July 2022 UK heatwave caused fruit and vegetables to die 'on the vine'. Some growers found their entire plantings of peas, broad beans, baby spinach and salad heads were wiped out. Berries simply cooked on their plants, before they could be picked. Surely, however, such occurrences were highly predictable? Perhaps UK folk regard extreme weather events as only causing food supply problems in remote countries? Locally-produced crops for the Brits are going to become, however, increasingly vulnerable. It's also uncertain whether imports will be able to make up the losses. Farmers and growers, elsewhere, will also have problems. Prices are sure to continue to rocket. It's a very long way from earlier silly suggestions that climate change may simply boost UK wine production.
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