Summary: Rising food prices might be one of the most important geopolitical trends of the decade. This is another post in a series, describing the causes and effects; links to other chapters appear at the end. Also see part two in this series: More about rising food prices (perhaps one of the big trends of …
 As usual with cutting edge research, the timing and significance of this is impossible for a layman to accurately access.  But this could be bad for China. Yields have already dropped 30-50% in some places. A summary of the research by Reuters More detailed summaries, in ScienceNow and Nature The research, in Science For more …
Summary: Peak food would be bad news, since the world’s population will increase for a few more generations, until falling fertility sends it crashing down.  But there is little evidence of this, and much suggesting that food production can greatly increase. Notes: This is just a sketch, not an analysis. Please post in the comments any references to …
The pace of change for the world has accelerated. Perhaps a glance at these stories can help keep your Orientation current! “Farm-Credit Squeeze May Cut Crops, Spur Food Crisis“, Bloomberg, 27 October 2008 “Ryan Says Treasury to Need `Unprecedented’ Financing“, Bloomberg, 28 October 2008 “U.S. Borrowing Needs to Reach $2 Trillion in 2009“, Bloomberg, 30 …
Interesting articles you might have missed during the week Read More »
The recent purchases of wheat by Iran from Ameican sources has generated some comment. Here are the available facts, plus some analysis of its geopolitical effects. Iran needs grain We have wheat for sale Conclusions Another perspective, by M. Simon 1. Iran needs grain “IRAN: 2008/09 Wheat Production Declines Due to Drought“, US Dept of Agriculture, 9 …
Iran buys wheat from American – is this significant? Read More »
