The most common words in the headlines this week are
“food” or “hunger”. Sam's Club rationing rice. Hungry Haitians go to sea as food
prices soar. Food crisis could hit Canada. World facing hunger “tsunami”.
The United Nations World Health Organization noted that the cost of rice has
more than doubled in the last five weeks. Basic children's illnesses suddenly
become fatal once they become malnourished or under-nourished according to the
president of World Vision Canada.
A tsunami is a long, high wave caused by an earthquake or other disturbance. It
can come quickly and be devastating to property and life, particularly those who
earn a few dollars a day.
One reason for higher food prices is the surge in demand in China and India
where millions are joining the middle class each year demanding more and better
food, particularly animal proteins.
Another reason is the growing demand for ethanol as a fuel additive. Bio-fuels
use a lot of the corn, wheat and soybean stocks causing prices soar.
With the price of gasoline expected to double by 2012 to $2.25 a litre, the cost
of food arriving long distances by truck or plane will reflect the added
expenses.
With these factors converged, the situation seems serious. But add another
factor such as a crop fungus and the result could be something greater than the
sum of the parts, a tsunami of high magnitude, famine.
If food is basic to health, should the conversion of food to bio-fuel continue?
What would be the advantages of more locally produced foodstuffs and would we
be willing to forgo fresh strawberries in January? What factors prevent people in
other locations in the world from growing food? And how do we act? Important
things to consider, for sure.
Equally important is a soul nourished by the beauty of the sunset, the songs of
the birds, good works of art, music and literature, the kindness of others,
silence, and the wonders of life and its interconnections. These all are
life-giving and free. While we dwell on the tangible, let us not forget the
intangible.
