Hoarding by several nations is a major cause of the current food shortage (and no doubt increased prices), a recent NYT article shows. The article points out that "The current export restrictions, which mainly help urban consumers in poor countries, are the latest blow to farmers in the developing world." Also, it notes that subsidies from the developed world to their farmers, while the IMF and World Bank simultaneously pressured less developed nations to reduce farm support and barriers to trade, hurt the developing world. The article suggests that freeing trade even more - via World Trade Organization rulings, perhaps, may be an answer. Some UN officials are skeptical.
Also in the news, Counterpunch has a nice piece on eating as a human right, arguing for more local food production and support for smaller-scale producers. There is, in fact, a strong basis for food as a human right, and thinking about it through this lens gives some weight to the arguments that the food problem is one of mal-distribution and that governments have a responsibility to defend their citizen's right to access food. Definitely this link is worth checking out if you are interested in checking this issue out in a more academic way. From a more activist take on this, check out groups like Food Not Bombs.
Finally, this one takes more time, but is fascinating: Can weeds help solve the climate crisis? this study suggests yes. Very cool stuff.
1 comment:
The title "Responses to Crisis" sounds ominous…which was my initial complaint with the environmentalist movement. Fear is not an optimal motivator.
In my transition to adulthood, it seems like elders seek to instill a sense of fear, dooming me to a life confined by “responsibility.” Not a great motivator. But thankfully my attitude towards responsibility has shifted to understand its original meaning as the opportunity and ability to respond. Responsibility is now worth celebrating as it represents the freedom and power of choice, which fuels creativity.
The word crisis originates from the Greek word krisis, meaning “decision.” We decide our response. With the current global situation, we must decide: will we operate out of abundance or scarcity, be characterized by hoarding or generosity, individual or collective thinking? Will we strengthen our defenses to protect our independence and isolation or lower our walls to allow the opportunity to know our neighbors?
Moving beyond finger-pointing at the US, WTO or other foreign policy power players, I ask myself these question. I must remember that I have the power to choose how I respond to life’s circumstances. My ninth-grade teacher routinely cautioned us, “you make your choices, but your choices make you.” Times of crisis force us to seek opportunities, explore a myriad of creative responses and then decide our choices.
Perhaps when you break the word crisis down, you get the word cry. Now I confess: In New Zealand this last semester, during a lecture on permaculture (by this guy Finn) addressing how we must adapt to the world’s changing situation, a few tears rolled down my face. I knew in that moment that the appropriate and responsible choice was to sell my car. The tears evaporated as my wise professor Eve framed the decision as an opportunity to move towards the person I want to become, to truly embody the experiences and ideas I profess.
So upon my return to Texas, I sold my car without an ounce of sadness or obligation and instead was surprised with a sense of freedom. Selling my car has been a vehicle for creative exploration.
I chose to respond to “economic crisis” in a fairly dramatic (and completely rational) way by selling my car. Other smaller decisions like starting a vegetable garden, composting and riding my bike have also been empowering and liberating new experiences and life style choices. These small and large decisions change me in the process, as I find myself becoming more creative, connected and community-centered. It has allowed me to know my neighbors and share in their wealth of wisdom and resources. Whether it be advice on my tomato plants, borrowing their lawn-mower or partaking in a cook-out and I know this is abundance!
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