Let them eat cake!

Anybody familiar with Malthusian theory can tell you that the recent unrest around the world over food prices is not surprising. I have been personally preaching the problems of overpopulation and industrialization for years, and I will say that for the first time in my life it sucks to be right. What's even more depressing is that World Bank analysts predict that the happenings of the past months undo the efforts to overcome poverty over the past seven years. Oddly enough, one of my first posts on this blog warned against the effects of using food crops to grow fuel sources like ethanol and bio diesel. Now it seems that the fragile regimes of Haiti and Egypt are facing a hungry revolutionary mob. What's worse is that the food is on the shelves, only the population cannot seem to afford it. For those not familiar with Overpopulation and Thomas Malthus, I would invite you to take this time and do a Google search. However, I will warn you that what you read is not for the faint of heart. 

The truth about Biodiesel

You're in for a real treat, two posts in one day. I was reading the news and just couldn't help myself.  The BBC's recent report that food prices and shortages are expected to rise in developing nations around the world didn't come as a shock. However, it was somewhat disconcerting to discover one major causes of this problem is the high demand of biofuels.  Damn you Willie Nelson! Here I thought you were acting socially progressive when it's your lifestyle that give Sally Struthers a job. Alright, so I'm being melodramatic, but this completely blew my mind. According to the report food prices will rise as high as forty percent, causing impoverished nations to make dietary sacrifices. I couldn't help but roll my eyes when I saw that Afghanistan was one of the hardest hit when wheat prices rose sixty percent last year. (Please reference my last blog post on helping the poor and repairing international reputation). I am all about finding alternative sources of energy, but it seems that an exploding global population and low food stores trumps any country singer's agenda. Let's hope that the Ford Escort that runs on water is indeed the real McCoy.