The Fight For the World's Food Begins

Population is growing. Supply is falling. Prices are rising. What will be the cost to the planet's poorest?

Most people in Britain won't have noticed. On the supermarket shelves the signs are still subtle. But the onset of a major change will be sitting in front of many people this morning in their breakfast bowl. The price of cereals in this country has jumped by 12 per cent in the past year. And the cost of milk on the global market has leapt by nearly 60 per cent. In short we may be reaching the end of cheap food. -- The Independent/UK

Don't believe me? look here.

The Trigger Effect

Amamzing BBC film from the 70s about how hopelessly dependent on technology we humans are these days.

World Food Supply is Running Out

SASKATOON, Sask -- Today, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its first projections of world grain supply and demand for the coming crop year: 2007/08. USDA predicts supplies will plunge to a 53-day equivalent- their lowest level in the 47-year period for which data exists. "The USDA projects global grain supplies will drop to their lowest levels on record. Further, it is likely that, outside of wartime, global grain supplies have not been this low in a century, perhaps longer," said NFU Director of Research Darrin Qualman.

Most important, 2007/08 will mark the seventh year out of the past eight in which global grain production has fallen short of demand. This consistent shortfall has cut supplies in half-down from a 115-day supply in 1999/00 to the current level of 53 days. "The world is consistently failing to produce as much grain as it uses," said Qualman. He continued: "The current low supply levels are not the result of a transient weather event or an isolated production problem: low supplies are the result of a persistent drawdown trend." In addition to falling grain supplies, global fisheries are faltering.

Reports in respected journals Science and Nature state that 1/3 of ocean fisheries are in collapse, 2/3 will be in collapse by 2025, and our ocean fisheries may be virtually gone by 2048. "Aquatic food systems are collapsing, and terrestrial food systems are under tremendous stress," said Qualman. -- National Farmer's Union

The Energy Emergency

It's HOT outside. Power companies are asking all consumers to conserve energy, please take their advice because we don't want to see any of this.

Could Vermont Feed Itself?

Interesting article on local food in the Burlington Free Press.

Protesting the G8 Agenda

KÜHLUNGSBORN, Germany, June 6 — They lurked in the woods, fifty strong, wearing black hoods and bandannas, and wielding tree limbs. At a signal given by one of their number, they sprang forward and threw their debris across a road here, creating a barricade that brought traffic to a screeching halt. - New York Times

Top 10 Energy Efficient States

#1 is a three way tie (California, Connecticut, Vermont)
New York is #5

FINALLY!

Ryanair admitted today that the onslaught from environmental campaigners against low-cost flying is affecting sales. - The Guardian/UK

Vermont Movement for Secession Growing Rapidly

"We don't want to be part of a collapsing Empire." - Boston Herald