Carbon dioxide is all over the news these days amid the current climate emergency. The gas is usually mentioned regarding climbing temperatures, sporadic weather patterns and the many other terrifying side effects of global warming. However, there is a shortage of carbon dioxide this time, and it’s had a huge effect on industries across the country.
How it all started
Carbon dioxide is often used in the production of food and drink. It creates bubbles in our drinks, prolongs the shelf life of bagged fresh food and humanely kills chickens in abattoirs. The price of carbon dioxide is now correlated with fuel prices. In September 2021, fuel prices soared, and a huge CO2 production company ran into a few problems. Consequently, severe CO2 shortages in the UK have now been resolved with some financial aid from the government. Phew. There could have been a limited supply of carbonated drinks, poultry and pork meat, and baked goods.
Unfortunately, the food industry now must pay five times more for produce, and prices are rising to £200 per tonne. But food prices will not increase despite the rise in produce prices.
Swimming pools closed
Carbon dioxide is also used to maintain the quality of swimming pool water, alongside pool chlorine tablets. Cannock swimming pool in Staffordshire was forced to close as staff ran out of carbon dioxide to manage the water quality. There are now plans to alter the pool to no longer rely on carbon dioxide.
But wait, aren’t we trying to reduce carbon emissions?
A few months ago, we watched the United Nations grabble with the climate emergency at the COP26 summit. The UK government announced that it would offer £200 million to help businesses reduce their carbon emissions. However, at the same time, the government is also worried about the carbon dioxide shortage. In fact, they supposedly gave a fertiliser manufacturer millions of pounds to produce more carbon dioxide.
The differentiating word here is ‘emissions.’ The fertiliser manufacturer produces carbon dioxide for food preservation, packaging and vaccine transportation. This carbon dioxide is not released into the atmosphere to have devasting effects on our climate.
There were also problems with the CO2 supply chain back in the summer of 2018. While we were celebrating the World Cup, the government was panicking about CO2 shortages.
The UK’s carbon dioxide supply chain needs to become more resilient to avoid future shortages.