Unbearably high food prices are creating social and political tensions globally, including serious issues of geo-politics. Some observers view the situation as a necessary adjustment in the markets. Most, however, are of the firm conviction that the worldwide escalation of food prices is more sinister and that it is fueled by nefarious forces…..
The people in the mirror
The world is faced with a grave threat - perhaps the worst living creatures have faced since 100,000 years ago when the Ice Age wiped out the first dominant life from- the dinosaurs. Never before has the world been as food insecure and on such an inclusive level as it is currently.
The data is more than alarming. In the space of less than a year the price of wheat has quadrupled. Rice prices have tripled and threaten to increase even more as major exporters - Thiland, Vietnam and Cambodia, among others, reduce export volume, as they eye their own future with trepidation. Africa and of course, Ethiopia, are destined for trying times ahead as the average African household is reportedly spending 80% more on food from resources which already consume over 50% of household income on consumables for the family.
As food prices march inexorably upwards, the middle classes and the low income earners and most critically, the poorest of the poor have to make do with less, and worse, are forced to consume food with lower nutrient value.
What is causing the global escalation of food prices? Is it a largely artificial problem, created wittingly or not by human intervention or is the crisis a natural phenomena?
These are difficult yet timely questions in light of the urgency of the situation. Worldwide, and confirming the prediction of authoritative scientists, including Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, 2007 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate unrest is spreading across the globe as communities, desperately squeezed dry, erupt in food riots Witness Senegal, Egypt, Nigeria, Vietnam, Haiti and others.
Although the jury may still be out on what is causing the food price nightmare, court observers lean toward the human as being the main if not the only culprit. Even climate change is a symptom of human meddling. As is bio-fuel crop production, insatiable oil producing nations and their henchmen the oil companies, vested interests etc, ad infinitum…
The developing world urgently requires major assistance, financial and material. This is critical in order to support governments that can ill afford subsidies but can not risk not doing so because of the great potential for public unrest.
Are high food prices around the world an artificial problem?
I believe that it is a wholly man made crisis designed to seed the already bloated pockets of mega rich business people and destroy what little assets we have.
Nolawi, 32
Struggling sanitation officer
Why don't we wake up to the writing on the wall? Can't we get through our collective thick skull that the earth has had enough? This world has exhausted itself and the current food price crisis is really just the beginning of the end. We have over exploited our resources and must pay the price for such recklessness.
Alex S. 44
Businessman
The solution is not in pinpointing blame but in seeking political and economic measures to solve the crisis. This must be urgently done by the world's political and business leaders before we reach the point of no return and stand by helplessly as millions of us slowly and painfully starve to death.
Amore F, 31
Secretary
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