First, what is the Innovation Network? The network comprises a unique assortment of individuals who represent the entire food chain across the UK, from breeders, to farmers and growers, to researchers and policy makers. This eclectic mix is essential, as it reflects the multi-disciplinary nature of adaptation. The University of Warwick’s role is to orchestrate the network’s activities, and the hard work of its dedicated project partners.
The first task for the network was in itself a challenging one: how do you go about identifying innovation? The process began by informing the network of the headline (UKCIP02) climate change predictions, and asking what the threats and opportunities were perceived to be and, importantly, what were the potential solutions.
The solutions identified were as varied as the network itself, and included many ‘best practice’ proposals, and ideas for further research. But amongst the suggestions were a few, almost hidden, gems - embryonic ideas for innovative adaptation projects. Funding sources were identified and suitable partners procured to nurture these concept projects into something that would make a difference in the real world. The university is thrilled that the network partners have shared its vision for adaptation projects, and thanks them for their interest, energy and enthusiasm.
The Innovation Network identified that keeping produce - as well as people - cool in the future is an increasing challenge. The UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) estimates that average annual temperatures across the country may rise by up to 3.5°C by the 2080s. At first glance this might not seem like a great deal, but all of this extra heat will need to be removed from produce. If this warmth is extracted using conventional cooling systems alone, it will not only lead to increased operating costs, but will also, rather ironically, add to the difficulties of meeting CO2 emission targets set down by the Climate Change Bill.
Additionally, hot days and heatwaves are also set to increase. UKCIP informs us that what we currently call an “extremely warm summer day” could increase by 7°C by the 2080s.
There is no doubt that such events will place considerable stress upon the cool chain and may even result in systems failing, with severe implications on produce quality. It is imperative that we identify ways to adapt our existing cooling systems, consistent with our need to mitigate climate change, and the Innovation Network has done just that, via two of its progeny projects.
Ground source heat pumps
In conjunction with its project partner, FEC services (www.fecservices.co.uk), Warwick HRI is developing a pioneering project to remove excess heat from stored produce by tweaking ground source heat pump (GSHP) technology. GSHPs are increasingly found in domestic heating applications where, in the winter, the natural warmth (heat source) of the earth is used to pre-heat water that is destined for a boiler.
It figured that in the summer this process could be run in reverse to use the natural coolness of the earth (heat sink) to remove unwanted heat. Grower A Pearson & Sons (APS) - which is dedicated to producing quality tomatoes for major multiples - agreed to let the Innovation Network hi-jack its existing cooling systems, borehole, and packhouse.
The idea is that cool water, extracted from the borehole, can be used to improve the efficiency of existing refrigeration units by absorbing waste heat from the heat exchanger, before being returned to the ground.
The British Potato Council and the Horticultural Development Council, impressed by the initiative, have agreed to match the Innovation Network’s funds.
Warwick HRI will be measuring the system’s perfomance thoughout the production season (March to October 2008) and modelling the potential savings. It will also be estimating the potential savings of alternative systems that do not rely on the convenient availability of a borehole.
Differential thermostats
Some solutions to climate change are not only cheap, but can potentially pay for themselves within a very short period of time. A good example of this is in the use of differential thermostats within grain storage. Our project partner, the Home-Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA), has identified several challenges for storing cereal and oilseed grains, including cooling grain.
This challenge is compounded by the evolution of pests resistant to chemical control, and the conflicting need to reduce chemical application whilst producing a pest-free product. It is widely appreciated that cooling grain quickly and efficiently can help to address these challenges.
Consequently, the Innovation Network is funding a project that is burying ‘ibuttons’ (data loggers) in the stored grain to monitor the temperature. By sending the temperature information to an automated control system, a decision can be made to switch on fans to pull only the coolest ambient air through the grain. Information on the potential financial savings from this technology will be disseminated at a series of grain storage workshops, funded by HGCA and the Assured Combinable Crops Scheme (ACCS), across the country this year.
Water availability
Adapting to changing water availability is already high up on the irrigation community’s agenda. UKCIP predicts that by the 2080s, the amount of winter precipitation will increase by up to 30 per cent, while, more significantly, summer precipitation will decrease by up to 40 per cent. It is also known that when the rain does come it will tend to fall in shorter, heavier bursts.
Consequently, it is crucial that anything that is economically possible to improve the efficient use of the precious resource is put in place. The Innovation Network has teamed up with Cranfield University’s Centre for Water Science, and is developing a comprehensive range of on-farm demonstrations to illustrate water use efficiency in a commercial context. The first of these demonstrations should be in place by summer 2008.
Growing local
The awareness of and demand for local food by consumers is on the increase and, in response to this, major multiples are raising their green credentials by sourcing locally when possible. Additionally, the government is extremely keen to develop a low-carbon economy.
These drivers are creating a considerable demand for quality home-grown produce, and climate change offers a great opportunity to satisfy it. This prospect is due to the new climate of the UK becoming more conducive to the production of alternative crops and varieties, enabling us to extend the cropping mix that it can offer. The Innovation Network believes that such environmentally robust crops are one of the most sustainable routes to adaptation, as it adapts the crop to the climate in contrast to conventional crops, which frequently require the climate to be adapted to them (e.g. through irrigation). However, key questions have been identified; such as, what are these new crops, and exactly how viable will they be in a complex global market? And what role can plant breeding tools, like GM, play? In order to stimulate debate on these questions, the Innovation Network is organising the New Climate, New Crops? Conference, which will be held on June 18.
Knowledge is power
Collectively, we have the knowledge to adapt to climate change, and the Innovation Network is exploring avenues with a range of organisations to develop appropriate knowledge exchange pathways. It has long been appreciated that communication is a key tool in climate change adaptation. The government evidently agrees; it has recently awarded further funding to the Farming Futures (www.farmingfutures.org.uk) communications initiative, to continue to help land managers and farmers both mitigate and adapt to climate change.
• This article concludes the Warwick HRI climate change series. We hope that it has given you a flavour of our work at the University of Warwick and a deeper understanding of our research agenda. Although such projects make a relatively small contribution to tackling climate change, the culmination of such efforts globally will make a real difference. We are all in this together.
For more details on this and previous articles, visit ww.go.warwick.ac.uk/climatechange - to keep up to date with the latest developments on WHRI’s climate change projects, or www.ukcip.org.uk - to keep an eye on the UK Climate Impacts Programme. The UKCIP08 climate change scenarios are due to be launched later this year.
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