All These Articles About Rising Food Prices are Making Me Depressed, Hungry
I would agree. Most posts of cheery and funny.
I would agree. Most posts of cheery and funny.
Although I don't do cheese, it's kind of scary to think about the state of some imported products or even products in the United States, for that matter.
I am with K. Resta. We should be thankful for what we have. There are people in worse situations.
How many years out of the history of civilization has this not been the case?
There are too many factors at hand. Biofuel, crop failures, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, currency shifts, the Chinese eating more meat.
Such a complicated issue and SO many factors not mentioned...
Regionally ill-considered agriculture -- e.g., irrigated high-water-demand crops like rice, wheat, cotton in Australia (the Earth's second most arid continent), California, etc. -- is it drought or poor planning?
Unchecked population growth in regions unable to sustain large populations -- e.g., many if not most LDCs (least-developed countries or fourth-world countries)
Political corruption and/or civil unrest and/or human rights abuses -- e.g., dictatorial governments in LDCs intentionally starving their people, choosing not to build infrastructure, etc.
LDCs largely shut out of the world food market by agri subsidies in developed nations -- e.g., USA, EU, etc.
Increasing desertification of the African continent -- note, due not to so-called climate change, but poor agricultural practices like deforestation, overgrazing, etc.
Starvation in most LDCs has been shown to be due to political corruption and widespread poverty much more than actual food production issues. Food aid from Western nations relates to excess agricultural product (which ties to subsidies) more than the recipient countries' actual needs.
Throwing food at the problem is not the solution, but that's what the U.N. and developed Western nations will do. We have a long history of treating symptoms rather than curing the underlying illness.
simon's got the right idea. Why do we need 8 stripmalls with Subways, nail salons, and cleaners within a two mile radius of each other? Drives me nuts. I've always thought that idea would bite us in the collective butt one day!
We need FoodBoy to come to our rescue!!!
What was most startling to me in the past few weeks was learning that the grain supply (that for a number of years has always been stockpiled for the purpose of helping other countries in worse shape than ourselves) had been depleted.
While it may be difficult for us it is much worse for others in other parts of the world. There are parts of the world that are not fertile - and the challenge stands: How and where to find the food to keep those people alive also, from the resources enjoyed by we who are luckier.
Instead of growing grass in the front and back yard grow a garden....
This could be a blessing in disguise. Let's tear up all those disgusting strip malls and replace them with small cooperative community owned farms. Instead of spending thousands of dollars on gym memberships you won't use, go work a few hours a week on your new local community farm where the McDonald's and Home Depot used to be. Instead of your tax dollars subsidizing big business and corporate executives' vacations to the Caribbean, your money could go towards your community. You will get in shape, go will get your hands dirty, you will grow fresh food for yourselves and your neighbors, and you will reclaim the land in your area.
very scary...why does it feel like even moving to a deserted island is not going to help??
Yeah, this news is humbling. All the more reason to shop at farmers' markets and/or grow your own fruits and vegetables.
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About: Longtime vegetarian
Favorite foods: Anything with tofu. Pizza is good too.
Last bite on earth: 5 Spice tofu