2022 UK heatwave impacts on agrifood: implications for a climate-resilient food system

2022 UK heatwave impacts on agrifood: implications for a climate-resilient food system

Record-breaking high temperatures were experienced across the United Kingdom during summer 2022. The impacts of these extreme climatic conditions were felt across the food system, including increased energy costs for cold storage, the failure of refrigeration systems in numerous retail facilities, a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Frontiers in environmental science Vol. 11
Main Authors: Davie, Jemma C. S., Falloon, Pete D., Pain, Daniel L. A., Sharp, Tierney J., Housden, Maddie, Warne, Thomas C., Loosley, Tom, Grant, Erin, Swan, Jess, Spincer, James D. G., Crocker, Tom, Cottrell, Andrew, Pope, Edward C. D., Griffiths, Simon
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Lausanne Frontiers Research Foundation 15-11-2023
Frontiers Media S.A
Subjects:
Adaptation
Agribusiness
Agricultural production
agriculture
Chickens
Climate change
Climatic conditions
Cold storage
Crop yield
Dehumidification
Drought
Drought resistance
Energy consumption
Energy costs
Environmental science
Extreme heat
Feed additives
Food
Food systems
Heat
Heat stress
Heat tolerance
Heat waves
heatwave
High temperature
Humidity
Livestock
Meat production
Net zero
Poultry
Rain
Refrigeration
Resilience
Soil conservation
Soil water
Summer
Water conservation
Wheat
Winter
Winter wheat
United Kingdom > UK
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Summary:Record-breaking high temperatures were experienced across the United Kingdom during summer 2022. The impacts of these extreme climatic conditions were felt across the food system, including increased energy costs for cold storage, the failure of refrigeration systems in numerous retail facilities, and impacts on livestock including heat stress. Future climate projections indicate an increased likelihood and duration of extreme high temperatures like those experienced in 2022. Learning from the impacts of the 2022 heatwave on the United Kingdom food system can help identify adaptations that build resilience to climate change. We explore the impacts through two case studies (United Kingdom poultry and wheat sectors), discuss potential adaptation options required for a climate-resilient, net-zero United Kingdom food system and consider future research needs. United Kingdom chicken meat production was 9% lower in July 2022 than July 2021; in contrast, energy costs increased for both production and refrigeration. Potential heatwave adaptation measures for poultry include transitioning to heat tolerant chicken breeds, lower stocking density, dehumidification cooling and misting systems, nutritional supplements, and improving retail refrigeration resilience and efficiency. United Kingdom wheat yields were 8% higher in 2022 than the 2017–2021 average. Increases were observed in every United Kingdom region but were least in the South and East where the heatwave intensity was strongest. Future adaptation measures to avoid negative impacts of summer heat stress on winter wheat could include earlier maturing and heat/drought tolerant varieties, earlier autumn sowing, targeted irrigation for drought around anthesis, and soil and water conservation measures.
ISSN:2296-665X
2296-665X
DOI:10.3389/fenvs.2023.1282284