http://inhabitat.com/scientists-predict-that-food-riots-will-grip-the-planet-within-a-year/#ixzz26af0HJQI
The team from New England including Marco Lagi say they believe that a single factor will trigger riots around the world within the next 11 months – the price of food. Lagi and his team say that once food prices reach a certain point, social unrest will break out in several countries, especially in poorer parts of the world.
The team cite evidence from the United Nations and the Food and Agriculture Organisation, which plots the price of food against time and the date of riots around the world. They’ve even made a graph which shows that when the food prices rises above a certain threshold, riots occur.
There is a saying that states that “every society is only three meals away from revolution”, and it is easy to believe. If food is unobtainable, the fear of starvation will drive people to extreme measures. However, Lagi and his team don’t think that high food prices will solely lead to riots, but will be responsible for creating the conditions in which social unrest can flourish.
“These observations are consistent with a hypothesis that high global food prices are a precipitating condition for social unrest,” said Lagi to Technology Review. What is worse is that food prices seem to be constantly going up due to traders speculating on the price of food, which has gotten worse in recent years by the deregulation of the commodities markets and the removal of trading limits for buyers and sellers. The second is the conversion of corn into ethanol, a practice directly encouraged by subsidies.
Of course, it is the western world, and specifically the US, that is responsible for such subsidies, so if global unrest is to be prevented, major changes are going to have to be made.
and things to watch for.....
http://www.squidoo.com/Food-Shortages
There are several things that will precede a major food shortage, and can be used as a signal to take action quickly to protect yourself and your family.
First of all, Rising Commodity Prices. As prices of corn, rice, wheat and sugar start to steadily increase to all time highs, then it is time to watch the news more closely. Many food suppliers may allow their inventories to run down until they think that the prices are coming down, but if they don't, it will be a sudden food shortage for these items.
Second, Rising Oil Prices. Whether it is a steady increase in the cost of a barrel of oil (and also the price at the gas pump) or unrest in the Middle East that threatens to shut down the export of oil from the Persian Gulf region, dramatic increases in oil are a key to precipitating a food shortage. Remember, oil is needed for fertilizer, pesticides, farm tractors and harvesters, transportation to the factories and manufacturing, plus transportation to your grocery store.
Third, Fears of Global Financial Collapse. If the stock markets are in turmoil because of economic uncertainty, then the entire supply chain from the raw materials of commodities to the factories to the transportation network that brings food to your grocery store can be jeopardized.
To those watching the signs and preparing, it won't be as much of a surprise. However, it will all come down very quickly. That is because Food Shortages are driven by fear and the "herd mentality." Like crazed shoppers on Black Friday, swarms of people will even cause Food Riots in their frenzy to get the last can of soup before someone else does.
It could be the news of the global economic collapse that sets it off, or hyperinflation that causes rising food prices, or a sudden war in the Middle East that causes the price of oil to skyrocket. Whatever the catalyst is, those caught unaware will suffer.
There are certain items that we all know are important to have on hand in case of a short power outage or a snowstorm or the like. Staples like bread, eggs, milk, etc. But what if the Global Financial Collapse leads to chronic food shortages?
You will want to have on hand non perishable goods like dry milk, canned goods, rice and dry beans, along with the spices and ingredients to dress up these otherwise bland, long term storage foods.
Don't forget to stock up on things like batteries, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products and medications. The main thing is that you need to have a well thought out plan, designed with the help of someone who has either lived through food shortages or seen the first hand.
In the Weimar Republic in Germany, there was a riot where mounted police tried to calm the crowds. The police were knocked off their horses and the horses were butchered in the street, with people running away with chunks of meat. Desperate people will do desperate things.
A similar financial collapse happened in Argentina in 2001. These are not backward, 3rd World countries, but rather both were highly industrialized, developed nations. Americans may think that they are immune to food shortages, but the writing is on the wall.
In addition to securing food for your family, there is a lot to know about Urban Survival Techniques to keep your family safe.
A few years ago, Sir John Beddington, the UK government’s chief scientific advisor stated that with the world’s population growing, food supplies diminishing, and water supplies becoming more scarce, all of these factors would combine to form a ‘perfect storm’ in 2030 resulting in food shortages and rioting. However, the New England Complex Systems Institute believes he is way too optimistic with his timing. In fact, the complexity theorists think that if we don’t reverse the current trend in food prices, we’ve got until August 2013 before social unrest sweeps the planet.
The team from New England including Marco Lagi say they believe that a single factor will trigger riots around the world within the next 11 months – the price of food. Lagi and his team say that once food prices reach a certain point, social unrest will break out in several countries, especially in poorer parts of the world.
The team cite evidence from the United Nations and the Food and Agriculture Organisation, which plots the price of food against time and the date of riots around the world. They’ve even made a graph which shows that when the food prices rises above a certain threshold, riots occur.
There is a saying that states that “every society is only three meals away from revolution”, and it is easy to believe. If food is unobtainable, the fear of starvation will drive people to extreme measures. However, Lagi and his team don’t think that high food prices will solely lead to riots, but will be responsible for creating the conditions in which social unrest can flourish.
“These observations are consistent with a hypothesis that high global food prices are a precipitating condition for social unrest,” said Lagi to Technology Review. What is worse is that food prices seem to be constantly going up due to traders speculating on the price of food, which has gotten worse in recent years by the deregulation of the commodities markets and the removal of trading limits for buyers and sellers. The second is the conversion of corn into ethanol, a practice directly encouraged by subsidies.
Of course, it is the western world, and specifically the US, that is responsible for such subsidies, so if global unrest is to be prevented, major changes are going to have to be made.
and things to watch for.....
http://www.squidoo.com/Food-Shortages
Why Food Shortages Are Coming to America
Could dramatically rising food prices, food shortages
and even food riots really be coming to America soon? Well, with the Global Financial Crisis heating up and the national debt and budget deficit out of control, we know that the coming economic collapse is going to be unlike anything we've ever experienced.
When food prices skyrocket and inflation turns into hyperinflation, many food suppliers will be reluctant to sell their inventories amidst the financial chaos and that is how food shortages happen. This is why it is probable that we will see food riots in America in 2012.
and even food riots really be coming to America soon? Well, with the Global Financial Crisis heating up and the national debt and budget deficit out of control, we know that the coming economic collapse is going to be unlike anything we've ever experienced.
When food prices skyrocket and inflation turns into hyperinflation, many food suppliers will be reluctant to sell their inventories amidst the financial chaos and that is how food shortages happen. This is why it is probable that we will see food riots in America in 2012.
When Will Food Shortages Hit Us?
3 Things to Watch Out For
First of all, Rising Commodity Prices. As prices of corn, rice, wheat and sugar start to steadily increase to all time highs, then it is time to watch the news more closely. Many food suppliers may allow their inventories to run down until they think that the prices are coming down, but if they don't, it will be a sudden food shortage for these items.
Second, Rising Oil Prices. Whether it is a steady increase in the cost of a barrel of oil (and also the price at the gas pump) or unrest in the Middle East that threatens to shut down the export of oil from the Persian Gulf region, dramatic increases in oil are a key to precipitating a food shortage. Remember, oil is needed for fertilizer, pesticides, farm tractors and harvesters, transportation to the factories and manufacturing, plus transportation to your grocery store.
Third, Fears of Global Financial Collapse. If the stock markets are in turmoil because of economic uncertainty, then the entire supply chain from the raw materials of commodities to the factories to the transportation network that brings food to your grocery store can be jeopardized.
Food Shortages Hit Suddenly
In a Matter of Hours, Shelves Are Empty
To those watching the signs and preparing, it won't be as much of a surprise. However, it will all come down very quickly. That is because Food Shortages are driven by fear and the "herd mentality." Like crazed shoppers on Black Friday, swarms of people will even cause Food Riots in their frenzy to get the last can of soup before someone else does.It could be the news of the global economic collapse that sets it off, or hyperinflation that causes rising food prices, or a sudden war in the Middle East that causes the price of oil to skyrocket. Whatever the catalyst is, those caught unaware will suffer.
How to Prepare for a Food Shortage
Don't Get Caught In a Food Riot
You will want to have on hand non perishable goods like dry milk, canned goods, rice and dry beans, along with the spices and ingredients to dress up these otherwise bland, long term storage foods.
Don't forget to stock up on things like batteries, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products and medications. The main thing is that you need to have a well thought out plan, designed with the help of someone who has either lived through food shortages or seen the first hand.
Food Shortages / History Repeat Themselves
What Happened Before Instructs Us
In the Weimar Republic in Germany, there was a riot where mounted police tried to calm the crowds. The police were knocked off their horses and the horses were butchered in the street, with people running away with chunks of meat. Desperate people will do desperate things.A similar financial collapse happened in Argentina in 2001. These are not backward, 3rd World countries, but rather both were highly industrialized, developed nations. Americans may think that they are immune to food shortages, but the writing is on the wall.
In addition to securing food for your family, there is a lot to know about Urban Survival Techniques to keep your family safe.
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