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Saturday, September 09, 2006
Libre: Scarcity of food
By Mel Libre
Seriously Now
Often, the participation of big celebrities is needed to make the public aware of problems of global proportion.
Two good examples of effective efforts to raise money for as well as people’s consciousness on the famine and starvation in Africa were “Live Aid” (organized by rock artist Bob Geldof, who was knighted for his effort) and USA for Africa’s recording of “We are the World,” a Michael Jackson-Lionel Richie masterpiece.
The cash windfall from the two events did have an impact on the problem but did not eradicate totally hunger, malnutrition and death in Africa. While corruption in beneficiary countries may have been a factor, lack of strong NGOs, apathy, changing global weather, wars and desertification have contributed to the failures.
One should not forget that world bodies, government agencies and volunteer groups have been doing routine, yet less publicized work. Faceless workers are the real force in preventing suffering of catastrophic levels.
Geldof, U2’s Bono and others also tackled another issue, the staggering debts of many Third World countries. With resources depleted to maintain their credit standing, debtor nations have no ammunition left to feed their people and to pursue livelihood programs. “Live Aid 2” succeeded somewhat, with leaders of G8, the most developed countries, agreeing to write off debts of select nations.
But did the G8 wipe out the threat of hunger and death among the world’s poorest? While the liberal act did give temporary relief, economists and scientists are one in saying that the specter of food shortage will continue to hound peoples of the world, both in industrialized countries and less developed ones.
Though science may have improved the technology in agriculture and livestock industries, erratic weather, the green fuel strategy and water shortage tilt the balance against self-sufficiency. One study says that, “just a single fill of ethanol for a four-wheel drive SUV uses enough grain to feed one person for an entire year.”
There was a time when starvation seemed alien to our country, but when you observe more closely street children and people living in squatter areas, you realize that it is real.
What about the ever-increasing prices of commodities? This is the sign of the times. Even in progressive countries, food prices are going up. If the situation worsens, scenes in the Charleston Heston movie “Soylent Green” may become real. In the film, people tricked into experiencing Nirvana became ingredients for food that was scarce.
Instead of spending so much for wars in the Middle East, the protagonists should make peace and solve the food threat that affects not only this generation but more importantly the next one. And we must not look forward to a “Live Aid 3.” By that time, it may be too late.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (September 9, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
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