May articles related to the increasing demand for food and energy
Sunday, June 1st, 2008As the use of biofuel increases, the number of articles related to the energy or food debate has also increased. Here are a few interesting articles that I read in May:
Who is responsible for the global food crisis?
May 31, 2008 at 12:05 AM EDT
Larned, Kan., Toronto — Tom Giessel rubs the heel of his palm against his forehead, exhales a moment, and then begins again, trying to make sense of how the global food market has suddenly descended into chaos.
WASHINGTON AND TORONTO — There was barely a whimper when the price of oil raced passed key milestones this decade – $50 (U.S.) a barrel, $80, even $100.
But with oil gaining strength at more than $130 a barrel, “shock” and “panic” have suddenly entered the popular lexicon.
CARL MORTISHED
While someone is making big bucks from the rising cost of food, governments are searching for villains, but the jury is still out. The UN is setting up a task force to tackle the global food crisis as rice-growing nations in Asia hoard grain. Fear of famine is pushing up prices for the very poor in the developing nations, but in the more comfortable world of the EU, politicians are investigating more subtle restraints of trade.
Manila scraps rice tender, prices seen falling
By Carmel Crimmins
Mon May 5, 2008 10:24pm IST
MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines scrapped its largest rice tender of the year on Monday and said it preferred to hold back importing until prices fall, sending a signal to world grain markets that rice prices might have peaked.
U.S. in Difficult Position Over Japan’s Rice Plan
HONG KONG — Japan is preparing to send at least 220,000 tons of rice to the Philippines, and possibly Africa. The Japanese government says the plan is meant to ease the suffering of poor nations punished by rising rice prices.
Food Report Criticizes Biofuel Policies
Agriculture Secretary Edward T. Schafer is preparing to walk into a buzzsaw of criticism over American biofuels policy when he meets with world leaders to discuss the global food crisis next week.