The Global Food Crisis
The Global Food Crisis
In this election year it is important not only to focus on the issues affecting us as Americans, but also to take a wider view of the world as a whole. The Global Food Crisis that is affecting millions of people around the world is a direct result of higher food costs, transportation costs, and the proliferation of Bio fuels in the market place as well as the weakening dollar.
“Prices are increasing sharply in every region of the world for some of the most basic foodstuffs traded on international commodity markets. The price of wheat has doubled in less than a year, while other staples such as corn, maize and soy are trading at well above their 1990s levels. Rice, which is the staple food for about 3 billion people worldwide, has tripled in cost in the last 18 months. In some countries, prices for milk and meat have more than doubled” (CRS.org, Catholic Relief Services)
Most people in the hardest hit areas such as Egypt, Ethiopia and Haiti make less than $2.00 a day. 60-80% of income goes to food and the rest toward transportation, not to mention housing and school. Families are down to one meal a day and children can’t finish a whole day in school because of health issues from hunger. Some parents are simply giving their children up to orphanages because they just can’t take care of them. Democratic Unity is more than just about our country; it is about our world and the legacy we leave on this earth.
Arnold Hayes
In this election year it is important not only to focus on the issues affecting us as Americans, but also to take a wider view of the world as a whole. The Global Food Crisis that is affecting millions of people around the world is a direct result of higher food costs, transportation costs, and the proliferation of Bio fuels in the market place as well as the weakening dollar.
“Prices are increasing sharply in every region of the world for some of the most basic foodstuffs traded on international commodity markets. The price of wheat has doubled in less than a year, while other staples such as corn, maize and soy are trading at well above their 1990s levels. Rice, which is the staple food for about 3 billion people worldwide, has tripled in cost in the last 18 months. In some countries, prices for milk and meat have more than doubled” (CRS.org, Catholic Relief Services)
Most people in the hardest hit areas such as Egypt, Ethiopia and Haiti make less than $2.00 a day. 60-80% of income goes to food and the rest toward transportation, not to mention housing and school. Families are down to one meal a day and children can’t finish a whole day in school because of health issues from hunger. Some parents are simply giving their children up to orphanages because they just can’t take care of them. Democratic Unity is more than just about our country; it is about our world and the legacy we leave on this earth.
Arnold Hayes
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