Mary Posted June 20, 2009 Report Share Posted June 20, 2009 The global financial meltdown has pushed the ranks of the world's hungry to a record 1 billion, a grim milestone that poses a threat to peace and security, U.N. food officials said Friday. Because of war, drought, political instability, high food prices and poverty, hunger now affects one in six people, by the United Nations' estimate. The financial meltdown has compounded the crisis in what the head of the U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization called a "devastating combination for the world's most vulnerable." Compared with last year, there are 100 million more people who are hungry, meaning they consume fewer than 1,800 calories a day, the agency said. "No part of the world is immune," FAO's Director-General Jacques Diouf said. "All world regions have been affected by the rise of food insecurity." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted June 20, 2009 Report Share Posted June 20, 2009 Thus they are all heading for the Global life-boats - the US and EU! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 I'm heading for Macdonalds; cos I am starving!?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 I think it is disgusting Mary, As you can see from the previous posts that they don't care as long as it does not affect them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 How much are you donating then Loo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 I donate as much as I can, and I also help by giving time for a charity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 Perhaps if less "mouths" were produced in the first place, finite resources could meet the reduced demand. Perhaps if dictators and despots didn't cream off aid for their own lavish life styles, some would get to those in need. Perhaps if charity concentrated on building self-sufficiency rather than aid-dependency. Perhaps if Western economies and politicians stopped the trade in weapons of war and started to invest peacefull technologies - we could all begin to over-eat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 Obs There is nothing in your previous post I can find fault with, I would only add that if more countries were willing to share and not exploit things would be better also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 So if we paid these Countries real prices for their exports and ceased to exploit their cheap labour, either in their own Country or by accepting them into ours; you mean they may have sufficient income to afford to eat? Now would we still buy all those cheap imports, if they were no longer as cheap?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 Surly this plays into your hands if they are no longer cheap people might buy British so supporting British workers, as for the things we can not make or grow they would receive a fair price and so be able to feed there families Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 Precisely the point I was sucking you into! Self sufficiency; maximising the resource potential of one's own national enviroment, controlling population levels to stay within the parameters of resource capacities (thus requiring a stop on migration); and then trading (or donating) any surplus produced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 Sorry Obs I saw it coming but all good points. The only difference between us is how to implement it I think it should be done first though Europe and then hopefully a World government and you do not, which is fair enough. But it is nice to know we are both after the same result We are not as far apart as we both thought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 You obviously don't read all my posts: I've always advocated the creation of "World Government" (yet another reason for opposing pseudo-nationistist super States like the EU). But there are clearly issues of objectivity in their operation and democracy in their organisation - and trust, a huge mountain to climb alas. But a starting point could be the setting up of a global legal framework and enforcement agency with teeth, that isn't monopolised by the West - however, just imagine if we had a permanent UN Armed Forces/Police, dedicated to fighting injestice in the World - where would you start? From Mugabe, to Burma, to Sudan (Darfur) - there would be permant intervention and war - which could take generations to resolve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 I do read your posts Obs, I see Europe as a stepping stone to a one world government, Countries coming together though choice. I can not see how you will see your vision of a one world government. As for your point about pseudo-nationistist's, that is what's wrong in the UK, that is what UKIP and the BNP are tapping into, we are better than them stay out of Europe. As long as people carry on thinking like that nothing will change the UK is to small to do any thing on its own. To many people living in the past and thinking we still rule the waves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rifles Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 I donate as much as I can, and I also help by giving time for a charity I also give up my time by helping two charities hands on. Although i will not donate any money whatsoever to any charity. My brother in law worked for a charity and i have seen first hand where all the money goes. Bit like an MP really, legally above board but oh so morally wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asperity Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 The situation is being made worse by Global Warming! Well actually it's Global Cooling, and because of the dropping temperatures world harvests are falling. And the growing of crops for bio-fuel is also not helping, taking land away from food production. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 Kyje, think you'll find that icon of "the left" Tony Benn, is opposed to EU membership, not just UKIP and BNP. No such thing as a "stepping stone"; the motivation behind the EU is as a economic counter to US domination; and if you re-read Orwell's "1984"; you'll note that future conflicts will be fought between super-continental states - question is: can humanity survive another world war? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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