Is livestock production prepared for an electrically paralysed world?

Abstract

Politics, insolvency, increased technological complexity and solar flares are factors that currently present uncomfortably real threats to our increasing dependency on electricity. In some scenarios, there may be no warning before electronic and mechanical help will cease to function. Industrial food production appears to be particularly vulnerable. Making preparations for an electrically paralysed period may not only be prudent, and a matter of national security, but might also push scientific efforts in agricultural production past energy reduction and towards more resilient and sustainable options. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry.