Extreme weather could cause food shortages and riots in coming years

Research done by the City University of London has found that 60% of farmers believe food shortages could cause civil unrest in the next 10 years, Sustain reports.  

Asked what might cause food shortages, farmers identified ‘extreme weather events’ as the chief risk factor during the survey.  

Farmers also suggested that unpredictable weather is likely to cause food insecurity, over and above any other causes, including war, trade deals, and rising production costs. 

Food and farming alliance Sustain said it worries that funding cuts to nature-friendly farming in the upcoming budget put UK food security at further risk.   

READ MORE: Farmers count losses yet again after Storm Henk hits the country

Consequence of climate crisis 

Will White, sustainable farming coordinator at Sustain, explained: “This evidence underscores the urgent need to address the threats to food security posed by extreme weather, a consequence of the ongoing climate crisis.  

“The survey highlights what our members have long understood: food security and a healthy planet are two sides of the same coin.  

“That’s why it would be a real mistake for the government to cut its investment in nature-friendly farming in the upcoming budget, which is fundamental to safeguarding long-term food security.” 

Sustain also reported that the research repeated a survey undertaken in 2023 with ‘food industry experts’ (virtually none of which were farmers).

The researchers also noted that “Farmers are much more concerned about potential collapses in food production over the next few years than the wider expert group are.”  

Experts were more likely to attribute civil unrest to disruptions in the distribution of food, rather than an outright shortage of food.  

By contrast, farmers were more likely to state the reverse, that disruptions to food production, rather than to distribution, would be the most pressing concern. 

READ MORE: Defra underspent ag budget by £358m, new report confirms

Support needed 

Martin Lines, arable farmer and CEO of the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN), spoke to the impacts of extreme weather on farmers: “This year has brought unprecedented weather challenges for thousands of farmers.  

“While I don’t want to face another year like it, we know we can expect more of this, and worse, in the future.  

“The biggest threats to our food security come from climate change and nature loss.” 

Mr Lines added that farmers “urgently” need ambitious support to make their businesses and land healthier and more resilient.  

“Without this they will be unable to cope with the challenges extreme weather will bring.  

“Land management schemes have helped me prepare for the future, and be more profitable today, by improving soil health and increasing the amount of nature on my farm. 

“Government needs to invest in these kinds of schemes much more widely as a key part of the solutions toolbox,” he concluded. 

READ MORE: Cambridgeshire farmer explains how his nature-friendly approach helps boost yields 

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