food

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%.

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.

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.