How Climate Change Is Making Your Frosted Flakes More Expensive

By Fusion Staff  |  May 21, 2014 | 8:38pm
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The effects of climate change are coming to a breakfast table near you.

Global warming threatens to destroy entire cities, demolish historic landmarks and wipe humans off the face of the earth. And according to a new report, even your morning bowl of Frosted Flakes can’t escape the effects of climate change.

The report says that the price of breakfast cereals made by Kellogg and General Mills – specifically Frosted Flakes, Corn Flakes and Kix – will skyrocket in the next 15 years and argues that global warming will have a huge impact on basic crops like rice, wheat and corn. The result? Cereal that’s up to 30% more expensive by the year 2030.

While “Big 10” food and beverage companies are vulnerable to impacts of climate change, they are also, according to the study, major contributors to the problem. The report shows that the “Big 10” – Associated British Foods, Coca-Cola, Danone, General Mills, Kellogg, Mars, Mondelez International, Nestlé, PepsiCo and Unilever – “emit so much greenhouse gas that, if they were a single country, they would be the 25th most polluting in the world.” Kellogg and General Mills were identified as two of the worst in addressing issues related to climate change.

The report was highlighted by Mother Jones and released by Oxfam International, an organizations that Pat Sajak would likely categorize as a group of “unpatriotic racists.”

Here’s how Oxfam rated The Big 10 rated on climate advocacy:

In order to better address the impact of global warming, Oxfam is calling on the companies to:

1. Fully measure and disclose their agricultural emissions.

2. Set clear targets to cut emissions from their agricultural supply chains.

3. Take substantial steps to increase their advocacy towards governments and the industry.

The report does address some of the positive steps the Big 10 companies are taking, including the fact that each company has actively recognized the need to cut down emissions.

People have taken notice of the report. According to a statement released by Oxfam: “In just over 24 hours more than 19,000 people have already contacted both companies directly to urge them to address the climate threat head-on.”

Here’s a video released by Oxfam in relation to the study:


General Mills has responded to the report, recognizing climate change as a serious issue and laying out steps that the company is taking to address it. “We’ve made commitments. We’ve taken clear positions. We’re tracking our progress and reporting it transparently. Because we understand the importance of this issue,” Jerry Lynch, the chief sustainability officer at General Mills said in a blog post. “Make no mistake. We’re in it to make a difference.”

In an email statement to Fusion, Kris Charles, Kellogg Company spokesperson, said that the company has “long been committed to doing what’s right for the environment and society.”

“We are working on multiple fronts to further reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and waste, as well as the energy and water we use,” Charles wrote. “As we do so, we value continued engagement and discussion with Oxfam, and other external stakeholders on the important issues of environmental and social responsibility.”

Alexandra DiPalma is a producer for Fusion Lightworks, Fusion’s In-house Branded Content Agency.

 
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