Global Hunger

The recent run up of world food prices is threatening to starve millions. Don't miss Paul Krugman's New York Times column on the subject this morning.

There have already been food riots around the world. Food-supplying countries, from Ukraine to Argentina, have been limiting exports in an attempt to protect domestic consumers, leading to angry protests from farmers — and making things even worse in countries that need to import food.

How did this happen? The answer is a combination of long-term trends, bad luck — and bad policy.

Let’s start with the things that aren’t anyone’s fault.

First, there’s the march of the meat-eating Chinese — that is, the growing number of people in emerging economies who are, for the first time, rich enough to start eating like Westerners. Since it takes about 700 calories’ worth of animal feed to produce a 100-calorie piece of beef, this

He also notes the effect of energy prices, climate change, and bad policies.

Unfortunately, it is highly plausible that none of these trends are likely to reverse any time soon.

Krugman doesn't mention it, but overpopulation is not only the ultimate determinant of food requirements but also a major factor in many of the other dangerous trends.

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