The British food supply stands on a house of cards under a warming climate. 66% of its consumed berries including bananas, 54% of citrus, and 19% of legumes come from countries with high or intermediate climate vulnerability.
Britain is not unique however. The food systems of most countries will be vulnerable to far-flung climate shocks. 19% of global calories cross an international border, according to the international Food Policy Research Institute. Over half of the food consumed in the North Africa and Near East region is imported. Drought is the most significant wide-scale climate risk for agriculture. Hotter temperatures in some regions will lead to desertification, where fertile soil turns to barren sand. Dwindling rainfall will intensify competition over freshwater, with agriculture often the biggest user of this resource.
In light of the food security risks posed by heat and reduced moisture, agricultural biotech startups in Europe are beginning to develop products that can enhance crop survival under drought conditions. We profile them below.
