Fears for beer raised by global warming

Climate change threatens the world with drought, rising sea levels, powerful storms – and a global beer crisis, researchers say.

Global warming is likely to lead to sharp falls in crop yields of barley, an essential beer ingredient, scientists predict.

Droughts and heatwaves are expected to cause barley declines of up to 17% in parts of the US, Europe, Australia and Asia where the grain is grown most.

As a result, the cost of beer could soar. According to the US scientists’ economic model, the price of a six-pack of beer could go up by $20 (£15) in Ireland.

Research co-author Dr Steven Davis, from the University of California at Irvine, said: “The world is facing many lifethreatening impacts of climate change, so people having to spend a bit more to drink beer may seem trivial by comparison.

“But there is definitely a crosscultural appeal to beer, and not having a cool pint at the end of an increasingly common hot day just adds insult to injury,” he added.

Only 17% of barley produced in the world is used in brewing, the authors point out. Most is harvested as feed for livestock.

The researchers predict hungry animals will be first in the queue for available barley, ahead of thirsty humans.

Barley growing regions including the northern Great Plains of the US, the Canadian prairies, Europe, Australia, and the Asian steppe were all likely to experience more frequent droughts due to global warming, the study in the journal Nature Plants reported.

Co-author Dr Nathan Mueller, also from the University of California at Irvine, said: “Our study showed that even modest warming will lead to increases in drought and excessive heat events in barleygrowing areas.”

Picture: PA. Beer prices could soar due to global warming, a study predicts.