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It is the news that could cause the most hardened climate change deniers to finally take note.

Scientists today revealed that the price of a pint could double if severe weather such as drought or hurricanes, or rising sea levels, hit the global supply of barley.

The problem was said to be “modest” in comparison to climate change’s risk to life, but the lack of a cold beer on a hot day “adds insult to injury”.

Today’s UK-funded research, involving the University of East Anglia, is the first to assess the vulnerability of the global beer supply against a range of future climate change scenarios.

Research had previously focused on its impact on staple crops such as wheat, maize, soya bean and rice.

The new study, also involving experts in the US, China and Mexico, suggested that “luxury” goods may be hit harder than staple foods as manufacturers are forced to prioritise. As such, coffee and wine are also at risk.

Maintaining an adequate supply of beer, the world’s most popular alcoholic drink, could be crucial to keeping people happy. Dabo Guan, lead author and professor of climate change economics at UEA’s School of International Development, said: “A sufficient beer supply may help with the stability of entertainment and communication in society.

“While the effects on beer may seem modest in comparison to many other impacts of climate change, some life-threatening, there is nonetheless something fundamental in the cross-cultural appreciation of beer.

“It may be argued that consuming less beer isn’t disastrous, and may even have health benefits. But there is little doubt that for millions of people, the climate impacts on beer availability and price will add insult to injury.”

The study, in the Nature Plants journal, said the effect on beer would differ between countries, depending on how much barley was prioritised for livestock feed. Only 17 per cent is currently used for brewing.

During the most severe climate events, global beer supplies could fall by 16 per cent, or 29 billion litres — equivalent to the US’s annual beer consumption. In the UK, consumption could fall between 0.37 billion and 1.33 billion litres, and “the price could as much as double”.