Europe's record heatwaves and droughts are slashing harvests, driving up food prices and exposing vulnerabilities in the continent's food system.

Food security expert Tim Benton warns that climate change, combined with geopolitical conflicts and trade disruptions, could make food scarcer and more expensive, widening inequality and fueling social unrest.

While Europe can still import food, poorer nations may be priced out. Benton argues governments are delaying costly but necessary reforms, such as more diverse and resilient farming systems.

Without major changes, hotter years, stronger El Nino events and global instability could trigger recurring food crises.