HourChallenge

Some scientists are predicting a looming food crisis in the coming decades.  I am reminded how important it is that I stay informed of current policy and how it may affect those who are powerless and marginalized in our interconnected, global economy.  It’s complicated, no doubt.  I recently read that bio fuels will be good for poor farmers.  The author of this recent article from theguardian has quite the opposite opinion.

Read an excerpt from the article below.

“Climate change and an increasing population could trigger a global food crisis in the next half century as countries struggle for fertile land to grow crops and rear animals, scientists warned yesterday.

To keep up with the growth in human population, more food will have to be produced worldwide over the next 50 years than has been during the past 10,000 years combined, the experts said.

But in many countries a combination of poor farming practices and deforestation will be exacerbated by climate change to steadily degrade soil fertility, leaving vast areas unsuitable for crops or grazing.

Competition over sparse resources may lead to conflicts and environmental destruction, the scientists fear.”

Read the article here.