The era of cheap food may end in the coming decades because of climate change.
Broccoli soup with sour cream and water - that's the whole lunch, sir! (Photo By Anders.)

American consumers may face the rising food prices in the coming months, as the drought in the Midwest has already led to an increase in the cost of grain. But this is only the beginning. A new report says that by 2050, many consumers in the UK will not be able to afford banal meat, and something like the whole world is waiting for.

Higher prices will lead the decision farmers two urgent tasks. It is necessary, first, to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, and secondly to deal with the consequences of climate change (extreme weather events, for example).

Co-author of the report Miriam Reder from the University of Manchester (UK) noted that, although these factors fair for the world, some countries will be easier, especially for those who do not rely on food import and who has the resources for infrastructure adaptation to these tasks.

The report, which is based on climatic forecasts of the intergovernmental panel on climate change, suggests that by 2050, rising prices may force the British to reduce the consumption of meat and dairy products by as much as 80%, grain - by 20%.

However, the government is not obliged to wait idly by when prices start to rise too sharply, says Andy Challinor from the University of Leeds (UK). If the measures aimed at combating climate change will raise the cost of food too much, the authorities may reject emission reduction in agriculture.

Prepared according to NewScientist.