There’s probably nothing Australians get off on more than when the UK experiences a ‘heatwave’ in the low 20s and starts acting like the end of the world but, thanks to climate change and the very likely role it will play in the end of the world, the Brits have actually got something to complain about.
Over a 15-day period in the peak of the heatwave during June and July, nearly 700 more deaths than average were reported, according to the Guardian. The elderly, especially those with heart or kidney problems, are particularly susceptible to the higher temperatures and, as a committee of MPs concluded after looking into the problem, the UK is “woefully underprepared” as a whole to deal with them.
Being blasted with unbelievable heat has had a number of weird effects on the country, including but not limited to the proliferation of rare fruits. It’s also having an effect on pig fertility, according to The Telegraph.
A report from the Centre for Economic and Business Research has found that piglet prices are up eight per cent, as a result of decreased pig fertility. According to The Telegraph, the heat causes sows to eat less, making for less healthy piglets. In addition to that, the heat stress prevents eggs from being released and results in smaller numbers of piglets in litters.
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The heatwave has had a similar effect on the price of other grocery items, with the cost of dairy increasing thanks to the hot weather’s negative effect on grass growth.
The report concludes that the average household will see the price of their groceries go up around $12 a month, but it would probably significantly more if your diet was, say, nothing but milk and bacon. (That is not a good diet.)
Australia’s own food prices are expected to increase as a result of the drought that is currently punishing NSW and Queensland.
