Global food crisis: so far a 'silent tsunami'

[SpiralHawk]

This blog was eye-opening... http://thecalloftheland.wordpress.com/


"Two reports this week underscore the need for families, neighborhoods, and communities to take action this year to ensure ongoing food security.

"The first report is somewhat longer in term. The head of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), acknowledged on Monday that global food production — already under strain from the global credit crunch — must double by 2050 to head off mass famine...

"...Meanwhile, of more immediate concern, consumers may soon be paying even more as they chase a shrinking supply of fresh and frozen vegetables. According to news reports, many California farmers have started abandoning their fields in response to a crippling drought..."

(snip)

[izquierdista]

1. Food security

All over the world, in every country with the possible exception of North Korea, there are plants whose bounty goes untouched. Fruits that drop to the ground to rot and grain that feeds a bumper crop of birds and rodents. The answer is not in more genetic modification or better transportation, but in eating locally produced food from plants well adapted to the area. Research into developing better and more useful strains of unused plants should be given top priority.

Lost Crops of Africa: Grains http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?isbn=0309049903; Vegetables http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=11763; Fruits http://books.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11879

[SpiralHawk]

2. Yes - there are many ways to address this looming mega-issue

From the looks of it, now is the time for everyone to give it some thought.