Climate threatens crippling food costs

Charities are warning of crippling food price rises here and worldwide if immediate action is not taken to counteract the effects of climate change.

Oxfam Ireland and Christian Aid said, without more investment in agriculture and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, shortages of key crops like wheat and maize would continue, leading to increased hunger, poverty and political instability.

Their warnings come ahead of a two-day international conference starting in Dublin today which will be addressed by former US vice-president Al Gore and former president Mary Robinson along with the heads of the World Food Programme and UNICEF, President Michael D Higgins, government ministers and EU representatives.