For some people, the best part of their day is sitting back with a cold one – and while it admittedly sounds great, it’s not exactly my cup of, well, beer? If you’re a beer lover, this post may upset you. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Global warming could potentially kill beer. I bet you never though you would read that sentence. Maybe that’s a tad dramatic, but it’s actually more probable than you might think. Before I send you into a full-blown panic, let’s look at the statistics.
Endangered Beer Statistics
A recent study in Nature Plants by University of California researchers and their institutions shows that droughts and heat waves will lead to sharp declines in crop yields of barley – beer’s main ingredient.
This will actively increase the price of beer in many countries, and whether that means a market decline for them is only dependent upon your willingness to pay.
The research looked at potential scenarios based on predicted levels of fossil fuels and carbon dioxide emissions. Looking at the worst case scenario, many parts of the world where barley is grown, including Europe, Australia, and the Asian steppe, are predicted to experience more drought and heat waves. These will cause significant declines in crops of 3 to 17 per cent.
Barley for brewing:
Only 17 per cent of the world’s barley is used to brew beer. Most of the barley is harvested to feed livestock. The problem results in a possible moral dilemma: will we prioritize animals or human indulgence?
Wealthy countries’ costs like Canada, Denmark and Poland, will increase. The study outlines how regions like Ireland, for example, could see an extra $20 dollars for a six-pack. Still, it’s predicted that people will be willing to pay the steep prices for their beer fix. In poorer countries like China, there will be a drop in consumption.
Beer in Canada:
- Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage in Canada, and it is responsible for 8.1 per cent of all household spending on beverages and food.
- One out of every 100 jobs are supported through the beer economy.
- Beer generates $5.8 billion in annual tax revenues for federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments.
- Central Canada is the brewing hub of the country, and more than 80,000 jobs in Ontario and Quebec are supported by the beer economy.
Beer consumption in Canada, coupled with foreign demand for Canadian beer made up $13.6 billion in economic activity in 2016 alone. It’s also important in helping support industry professionals, which include food and accommodation services.
