Tuesday, June 03, 2008

food shortage, subsidies, biofuel...

I will never be a wiz at economics, especially global economics. That's why my head is reeling as I read articles and updates about this week's Global Conference on Food Security which is being held in Rome. The UN's Food and Agricultural Organization have called this meeting as they say we are facing issues with rising food prices globally & therefore a huge problem for those in developing countries - the inability to afford sustenance.

Never has this issue been such a reality than now to me. I'm living among a society of impoverished people - and hunger is real. Starvation is real. Malnutrition is ever increasing and therefore immune systems are terribly weak - a devastating situation for people who have to fight malaria on a daily basis.

The following is an editorial-type article I was reading today - take it for what its worth, if you're interested. (though I'd skip the comments at the bottom if I were you)

Harvests of Hunger

I lack education on all sides of these arguments, though I truly believe it is not one issue or another that have to be addressed. The problem for me is that it seems too huge to tackle - can this issue be solved? Or can we as a global society at least work towards a possible solution, seeking to make choices individually and communally that dignify all actors, whether the farmer in my backyard in Ohio or the seamstress in the sweatshop in the Phillipines?

I don't know, I'm just dishing out the little that I'm able to grasp & chew on a bit. I would love to hear any thoughts or read more if you have any good links to throw my way.

I have to be thankful that people do care enough to come together & discuss these issues. Question is, do they care enough to make changes in their own lifestyles that would directly benefit the people they seem to be advocating for?

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