Real Hunger – No Game
TimeWatch Editorial
May 24, 2016
The World Bank has reported that the world needs to produce at least 50% more food to feed 9 billion people by 2050. They say however that climate could very well cut crop yields by more than 25%. In their Overview on their website, they report that “The land, biodiversity, oceans, forests, and other forms of natural capital are being depleted at unprecedented rates. Unless we change how we grow our food and manage our natural capital, food security—especially for the world’s poorest—will be at risk.”
“Already, volatile food prices—and the price spikes that can result—are the new normal. When faced with high food prices, many poor families cope by pulling their children out of school and eating cheaper, less nutritious food. This can have severe life-long effects on the social, physical, and mental well-being of millions of young people. Malnutrition contributes to infant, child, and maternal illness; decreased learning capacity; lower productivity, and higher mortality. One-third of all child deaths globally are attributed to under-nutrition.” The World Bank Overview, Mar 21, 2016
The Huffington Post reports on May 9, 2016 in their published article entitled: “South Sudan Food Crisis man affect up to 5.3 Million People” that
“From January to March, 2.8 million people were classed as being in “crisis“ or “emergency” food situations, with about 40,000 thought to be suffering an outright famine. Internal food security analysis shows that South Sudan will face the most severe lean season in 2016 since its independence, driven by insecurity, poor harvests, and displacement in some areas of the country,” said a WFP report published on Monday.” The Huffington Post, “South Sudan Food Crisis man affect up to 5.3 Million People”
But let us not assume that this shortage will exist only in what has been traditionally described as third world countries. The retreating resources have begun to strike across the entire globe. The Independent News published an article on Wednesday 28 January 2015, entitled: “Have We Reached Peak Food? Shortages Loom as Global Production Rates Slow” The article begins with the following.
“The world has entered an era of “peak food” production with an array of staples from corn and rice to wheat and chicken slowing in growth – with potentially disastrous consequences for feeding the planet. New research finds that the supply of 21 staples, such as eggs, meat, vegetables and soybeans is already beginning to run out of momentum, while the global population continues to soar. Peak chicken was in 2006, while milk and wheat both peaked in 2004 and rice peaked way back in 1988, according to new research from Yale University, Michigan State University and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research in Germany.” Tom Bawden, Independent News, “Have We Reached Peak Food? Shortages Loom as Global Production Rates Slow”
So what has caused this shortage? One of the more evident causes is Desertification. Desertification is a process of land-degradation by which a region becomes progressively drier and drier — eventually becoming desert. Or, simply put, desertification is the process by which previously biologically productive land is transformed into wasteland. What has occurred often in the last few decades is a progressive and aggressive overuse of the land. The controlling organizations that seek only to enlarge their profit margins have sought to grasp control of the farming resources of the globe. If they were content with this, then maybe the swiftly receding health of the land might not continue with such an urgent rush, but the application of chemicals for no other reason but to increase output has ironically depreciated the ability of the earth to produce.
The initial instructions given by the Creator regarding the use of the land has been ignored. In the book of Exodus, chapter 23 and verse 11, specific instructions were given regarding the use and treatment of the land.
Exodus 23:10 - And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof:
Exodus 23:11 - But the seventh [year] thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, [and] with thy olive yard.
Now of course, that direct instruction was followed by an even more specific and direct plan.
Exodus 23:12 - Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.
Exodus 23:13 - And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.
For the most part, however, both instructions have been ignored. The results are therefore quite evident; A famine in the land and a famine in the heart. Perhaps the restoration of harvest will only occur when we obey the instruction given.
Cameron A. Bowen
