UK scientists have warned that the looming food crisis, precipitated by climate change and economic growth in developing nations, will come down to “survival of the fittest”.
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By 2030, the World Bank estimates that cereal production must increase by 30% and meat production by 80% to meet the demands of a global population.
“The countries that are less technologically advanced and those that rely most heavily on food imports will be the first to suffer. It will be survival of the fittest,” warned Professor Peter Lillford, working party chairman of a new report published today (21 January) by the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Institution of Chemical Engineers.
Pointing to social unrest stirred up by food shortages in developing regions, Prof. Lillford emphasised that developed countries are not immune to the repercussions of food shortages.
“Last year, we saw riots in Bangladesh, Cameroon, Senegal and Morocco because of food shortages. We experienced ripples of change in the UK too where many food prices rose. It’s all about the availability of food as a commodity on a global scale.
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By GlobalData“In the developed world, because food is relatively cheap, we waste it. That is no longer morally or economically acceptable and we’ll also rely on the chemical sciences to implement technology to reduce this waste, alongside the need for adjustments in consumer behaviour. There is no way out of this unless we make changes,” Lillford warned.
The report, The Vital Ingredient – chemical science and engineering for sustainable food, describes meeting energy and food demand, without permanently damaging the environment, as the “greatest technological challenge facing humanity”.
The report recommends a stronger focus on developing technologies to conserve and reuse water; the development of modern biotechnology to create pest-resistant crops; the application of novel enzyme chemistry and technology in food manufacturing; and the creation of methods to treat livestock waste to generate energy and biogas.
It also calls for improved scientific literacy amongst policy makers and says supermarkets must make greater efforts to champion sustainability.
However, the report warns, a shortage of properly qualified scientists and engineers in the UK threaten to undermine such efforts and could harm the nation’s food industry.
The report was launched in Westminster today by Hilary Benn, secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs.
