Costly Decisions

9/6/2012

For the first post of the semester I would like to focus on a recent NPR article that can be found at... While it does not directly discuss a recent event, it talks about the trend in climate change and how that might effect our food prices, domestically and internationally.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/09/05/160622571/extreme-weather-means-extreme-food-prices-worldwide-aid-agency-warns


The article does a good job of showing another aspect of the climate change our planet is experiencing: Hunger. "Our planet is boiling and if we don't act now, hunger will increase for millions of people on our planet," Says, Heather Coleman, climate change policy adviser for Oxfam America. She goes on to state that the "Freak of Nature" events like droughts, floods or heat waves will become more common as our climate changes. Each of these events are major causes for food prices rising.

The topic hits home here in Wisconsin as the southern part of the state experienced a major drought in the months of June, July, and August. This drought of the area as well as region, is expected to cause food prices to rise in the state.

Our article goes on to explain that while we may be experiencing high grain or fruit prices now, the real cost may come later when meat prices are driven up by high feed costs. Meat is expensive as is, and a rise in price may take meat off the menu for some households.

So maybe we wont be able to barbecue twice a month or have that extra burger to make a cold sandwich out of, but at least we generally have enough food. The story is not the same in developing nations. The food shortage will hit hardest in homes and counties that can't afford even the most basic food supplies.

A solution you ask? Siwa Msangi states, "Investments in water storage and irrigation systems can help countries get through droughts. Paving roads and improving ports can help prevent floods from disrupting food supplies. Better feeding programs can also help poor people keep their families fed despite price spikes."