food

Fuelling the debate

brett — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:43:19 +0000

Late last week the Guardian newspaper in Britain exposed a secret report prepared by an expert for the World Bank, which estimated that biofuels have forced up food prices by 75%. This report, if accurate, is shocking, as up to now the US administration has claimed that biofuels have contributed less than 3% to food price inflation, while development experts in South Africa have pegged the figure at 30%.

The times they are a-changing

brett — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:55:03 +0000

As we deal with electricity problems, high food prices and climate change, many of us are hoping that life will return to normal as soon as possible. But I have a feeling we haven't fully realised how radically our world is changing, thanks to current developments. In a few years, 'normal' is likely to be something completely different from what we're used to now.

General

When starving is a crime

brett — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:54:17 +0000

Nothing illustrates the state of inequality in the world, like the global food problems. In the West, obesity is a problem, and overweight people complain the suffer from discrimination. On the hand the French parliament will soon pass a law making it a crime to promote excessive thinness. But in developing nations, few have any choice. Increasing numbers of people can't afford food at all.

General