356: The inconvenient truth is the food industry needs more CO2

<div>We could be heading for a shortage of carbon dioxide. <br> <br> Yes, you read that right, despite carbon emissions hitting record levels in 2022, CO2 for use in the food and drink industry is in short supply.<br> <br> CO2 is used all across the sector, soft drink production of course, but also meat processing, brewing, baking, and many many others<br> <br> But with the soaring price of natural gas, dwindling supply, and the shutdowns of CO2 plants in Cheshire and Teeside, there are fears that major shortages are just around the corner.<br> <br> <a href="https://foodmatterslive.com/article/uk-government-to-subside-carbon-dioxide-production-for-a-further-three-months/">We have been here before</a>. Significant CO2 scarcity in 2018 sent shockwaves through the industry.<br> <br> But could we be facing an even worse situation this time around?  <br> <br> Prices of CO2 are already rocketing, so what can the industry do to prepare itself?<br> <br> <strong>Mark Lorch, Professor of Public Engagement and Science Communication, </strong><a href="https://www.hull.ac.uk/"><strong>University of Hull<br> </strong></a><br> Mark Lorch is a chemist, writer and science communicator. He started his research career working on protein folding and has since delved into many other aspects of biological chemistry ranging from how organisms' signalling molecules will be affected by ocean acidification to monitoring micro-pollutants in waterways.<br> <br> Alongside his research, Mark spends his time communicating science to as wide an audience as possible. <br> <br> He founded and directs the <a href="https://scifest.hull.ac.uk/">Hull Science Festival</a> and leads on widening participation projects in the region. <br> <br> He still finds time to contribute to various media outlets, his prose regularly appears in the mainstream press, and he pops up regularly on broadcast media. <br> <br> He has also provided science consultancy services to film, game production companies and he sits on the Science Advisory Council of the National Pol