Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Food prices hit "dangerous levels": World Bank chief

3 comments:

  1. Discussion Questions:
    1. What is your overall opinion of the increase of 44 million people dealing with food shortages or starving? How there be so many obese people in America, while 44 million people are dealing with food shortages? What do you think can be done to help with the food shortages around the world?

    2. Were you aware that the rise in food prices in the Middle East and Africa have been a part of the over throwing of corrupt governments like Egypt and Tunisia? How can America help with the food crisis in third world countries? How do you think not having available food or meals everyday would effect your everyday life?

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  2. 1. I think many people are dealing with unaffordable food prices and food shortages because these regions do not typically have the advantage of being able to grow main cash crops (i.e. wheat, corn, etc). For example, much of the land in Northern Africa is desert and the soil does not have as many nutrients to efficiently grow crops like in Central Plains in the U.S. Cash crops are widely consumed and thus can be exported, because local food demands are met. I do not think local food demands are being met in a lot of these regions and instead of exporting food for profit, these regions are reliant on imports (which are usually increasing in price).

    2. I was not aware that rising food prices in the Middle East and Africa have been a part of the overthrowing of corrupt governments, like Egypt and Tunisia. I am not sure what America could provide, in terms of aid, to these regions. I think it would mostly be in the form of financial aid. Unfortunately, I do not think America is in the best economic condition to provide direct global economic support. Yes, I agree that many U.S. citizens are obese and have more food than others; however, I think a lot of this surplus in produced by private companies and that this is where most of the money is kept. Maybe if there is a governmental policy change that effects private corporations, America would do more for this situation.

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  3. 1. I think the addition of 44 million people to the list of those already struggling with food issues is tragic and unnecessary, especially since many developed nations have large food surpluses. American obesity is more a result of unhealthy eating and large portion sizes than a surplus of food. Instead of producing ethanol (which decreases gas mileage and produces large amounts of CO2 in production anyway), America should be distributing corn at lower prices to third world countries or at least helping to alleviate food shortages without have to pour a constant stream of money at developing nations and hope that the funds are used to feed the poor.

    2. Yes, increased food prices have certainly played a role in Middle Eastern and North African tensions. Like I mentioned above, the best way for America to assist third world countries is not through financial aid but through supplies of excess domestic corn. Personally, not having food available would certainly be an uncomfortable experience and would affect every aspect of my life and would require an existence that was based off of a need to constantly find food.

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