Leila's blog

Wed, Jun 11, 2008

Survival of the footist

It can be hard in times like these not to say 'we told you what would happen' and to feel smug. However, when it comes to peak oil and climate change the outcomes are so severe that not only is this not nice, it is very unhelpful. So, why do I believe that the message about climate change is coming home? Recent news that there is famine in the horn of Africa from failed crops last year caused by drought; todays news that corn prices have rocketed due to unseasonal storms in the USA ruining large areas of crop; shortages worldwide of rice and wheat as well. Food prices are also increasing in response to rising fuel costs and the diversion of cereal crops into biofuels.
When a system is based around the ability to transfer vast quantities of goods thousands of miles due to a cheap energy source, a rise in the price of energy has a massive impact - first a rise in prices, then a reduction in movement of food, to a (hopeful) final solution of localised sourcing with national and international food transport as a last resort. Oil prices are rising now because for too long the price hasn't reflected its external impacts or scarcity. Now these become apparent the shock of rising prices is beginning to cause a slow but rising panic in the wider populace - as witnessed by the clutch of strikes. Yet the sun is shining and the veg are growing (well some of them) and there is a peace in my surroundings at odd with the news. Perhaps this is because I have the luxury of being able to weather the storm for the time being, because of my relative wealth in the world and the fortune that west Wales is fairly likely to get off lightly from rising temperatures.

So, what hope is there? That the need for a radical overhaul of economic and distributive system will become apparent to those with the ability to change it, and if not, that the preperations of small groups around the world will be sufficient to cope with the new conditions. Oh and the title - feet may soon be rediscovered as our best friends.

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