Riots, instability spread as food prices skyrocket
(CNN) -- Riots from Haiti to Bangladesh to Egypt over the soaring costs of basic foods have brought the issue to a boiling point and catapulted it to the forefront of the world's attention, the head of an agency focused on global development said Monday.
"This is the world's big story," said Jeffrey Sachs, director of Columbia University's Earth Institute.
"This is the world's big story," said Jeffrey Sachs, director of Columbia University's Earth Institute.
World Bank President Robert Zoellick has said the surging costs could mean "seven lost years" in the fight against worldwide poverty.
"While many are worrying about filling their gas tanks, many others around the world are struggling to fill their stomachs, and it is getting more and more difficult every day," Zoellick said late last week in a speech opening meetings with finance ministers.
"In just two months," Zoellick said in his speech, "rice prices have skyrocketed to near historical levels, rising by around 75 percent globally and more in some markets, with more likely to come. In Bangladesh, a 2-kilogram bag of rice ... now consumes about half of the daily income of a poor family."
The price of wheat has jumped 120 percent in the past year, he said -- meaning that the price of a loaf of bread has more than doubled in places where the poor spend as much as 75 percent of their income on food.
I posted this story because it is something that should and, will effect each and everyone of us in some way at some point if not already. Though we may not be at a point that some of these countries are, there are people here in the US and other places that are going to have a hard time making ends meet. With the rise in gasoline, food and the housing situation and credit, there will be tough times. Even if YOU are not effected directly, at some point, the trickle down will catch up with YOU.
Everybody needs to pay attention to things that are taking place in the world these days and take the necessary steps to keep YOU and yours in good standing. YOU are the only one that can do that. Pay attention and be aware of global happenings and YOU should be fine. For the rest of the above story, go to Riots, instability spread as food prices skyrocket - CNN.com
"Opyn Mindz, Opyn Eyz Rule",
1 comment:
Brother Sharpe,
Great post! More bloggers need to be taking on issues that matter.
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