The roots of the root of the problem

[redstategreen]

I was just reminded of Dick Lugar, the most senior Republican Senator, and his position on food.

I think it is remarkable that this guy "gets it." May his message get out.


Lugar calls for deeper understanding of food shortage challenges

http://lugar.senate.gov/press/record.cfm?id=308684&&

Thomas Malthus famously warned 200 years ago that food production would not keep pace with population growth. But Malthus did not foresee how technology and innovation would increase food production as the population grew. The problem we face now is that advancements in agriculture technology have been lagging, even as a dangerous confluence of factors threatens to severely limit food production in some regions and the world’s population continues to expand. Between 1970 and 1990, global aggregate farm yield rose by an average of 2 percent each year. Since 1990, however, aggregate farm yield has risen by an annual average of just 1.1 percent. The USDA projects that growth in global farm yields will continue to fall during the next decade.

Yeah, but look at this:

In addition, many governments, especially in Europe and Africa, have rejected biotechnology advancements that are necessary to meet future demand for food. Opposition to safe GM technology contributes to hunger in Africa in the short run and virtually ensures that much of the continent will lack the tools to adapt their agriculture to changing climatic conditions in the long run.

I wonder who's paying his bills....

[redstategreen]

I was just reminded of Dick Lugar, the most senior Republican Senator, and his position on food.

I think it is remarkable that this guy "gets it." May his message get out.


Lugar calls for deeper understanding of food shortage challenges

http://lugar.senate.gov/press/record.cfm?id=308684&&

Thomas Malthus famously warned 200 years ago that food production would not keep pace with population growth. But Malthus did not foresee how technology and innovation would increase food production as the population grew. The problem we face now is that advancements in agriculture technology have been lagging, even as a dangerous confluence of factors threatens to severely limit food production in some regions and the world’s population continues to expand. Between 1970 and 1990, global aggregate farm yield rose by an average of 2 percent each year. Since 1990, however, aggregate farm yield has risen by an annual average of just 1.1 percent. The USDA projects that growth in global farm yields will continue to fall during the next decade.

Yeah, but look at this:

In addition, many governments, especially in Europe and Africa, have rejected biotechnology advancements that are necessary to meet future demand for food. Opposition to safe GM technology contributes to hunger in Africa in the short run and virtually ensures that much of the continent will lack the tools to adapt their agriculture to changing climatic conditions in the long run.

I wonder who's paying his bills....

ETA: Just as I thought: Sen. Lugar is in bed with Monsanto.

[Newfie]

Still and all he is at least bringing up the subject. Surely not all good, but not all bad either.

Agreed, he ain't no saint.

[rattleshirt]

Lugar is the Senator from my state. I wrote him a few weeks back about some organic agriculture issues and NAIS. I got a mealymouthed e-mail that basically said he was in favor of everything I had written to complain about and managed to insinuate that MY thinking was perhaps not up to par.