Food Shortages

The price of food commodities - such as wheat, corn and rice - is unstable. It can suddenly shoot up, making food unaffordable for millions of people around the world, bringing hunger and famine. A shortage may be due to bad weather or to a human pandemic which disrupts the food system. The other side of the volatility coin is a grain surplus - too much grain on the market. A grain surplus can cause food prices to rapidly fall, wiping out the profits of farming families and jeopardising their livelihoods. The whole world would be better off if commodity prices were more stable. Authored by an agricultural economist with thirty years of practical experience in farm policy, this book will assist governments in the design of their food and agricultural policies. Requiring no prior knowledge of economics, it is essential reading for students, researchers and policy makers in the areas of economics, international and sustainable development, agriculture, and food security.

Lays out a picture of impending planetary crisis - a global food shortage that threatens to hit by mid-century - that would dwarf any in our previous experience. This book describes a dangerous confluence of shortages - of water, land, energy, technology, and knowledge - combined with the increased demand created by population and economic growth

Discover the history, causes, impacts, and potential future of global food shortages-a problem for all of humanity, not just the developing world. This important reference work takes an in-depth look at the geographic nature of the problem of global food shortages, helping readers to understand that while this is not a problem that exists everywhere, it is a problem that touches everyone. The book begins with an introduction to the basics of global food shortages, moves through the history of the issue, and then explains the current state of affairs. From there, it examines root causes, proposes solutions, and takes a speculative look into the future. This organization moves readers through the problem in a systematic and easy-to-follow manner, while also allowing them to explore each aspect of the issue individually. A curated selection of further readings at the end of each chapter points readers toward resources for additional research and discovery. The book concludes with a selection of perspective essays written by expert contributors. Each explores a different facet of the topic, from the potential of GMO crops to the impact of food waste. Food Shortage Crisis illustrates that the problems of food scarcity and insecurity are neither new nor confined to the developing world. They are the result of a complex interplay of issues at every stage of the process of feeding humanity, from food production to sale and distribution to consumption. Age-old factors such as poverty and inequality are compounded by new realities such as climate change. Global food shortages affect more than human health; they have the potential to cause economic devastation, trigger civil unrest and international conflicts, and change how we as humans interact with the planet and each other.

The world is now home to more than 7.5 billion people, and the population is growing faster than ever before. Many experts have questioned whether Earth can sustain this growing population, or whether famine and water shortages are an inevitable result. Middle school readers will discover all the challenges in food and water production that humans face today, and learn about global efforts to battle the threat of food shortages. Full-color photographs, sidebars, and a glossary aid in their understanding of the issue.

Apr. 16 and 17 hearings were held in Chicago, Ill.; Apr. 18 hearing was held in Cleveland, Ohio; Apr. 23 hearing was held in Boston, Mass.; Apr. 24 hearing was held in Providence, R.I.; and Apr. 25 hearing was held in NYC.

Apr. 16 and 17 hearings were held in Chicago, Ill.; Apr. 18 hearing was held in Cleveland, Ohio; Apr. 23 hearing was held in Boston, Mass.; Apr. 24 hearing was held in Providence, R.I.; and Apr. 25 hearing was held in NYC.