It seems drought has been a huge factor in increasing food commodity in the recent months. The hot weather this summer left crops parched and livestock famished. Restaurant owners, already struggling with fuel costs, are now feeling the pressure to increase prices on their menu. Along with the rising food costs, smaller portions are expected to be served. Prices will only continue to rise, and perhaps at a faster pace.
We discussed this very issue in my Geography of Food class. Our food system depends on the weather, and the drought this year definitely impacted that negatively. What we purchase and eat on a daily basis relates to what is available. As mentioned above, the drought left crops parched and livestock famished. Food may not be as abundant as it was in the previous years, thus increasing its prices. Though we still have a huge amount of food choices at our disposal compared to other countries, the rising costs may be an issue to many families who struggle to afford healthy food.
Looking at this issue from a broader scale, we discussed in class (Environmental Hazards) whether or not drought causes famine. I definitely believe that drought can cause famine, but only in less developed countries (LDC) where there are fewer resources and governmental aid. For example, a more developed country (MDC) such as the United States did struggle with drought this summer, specifically in its agricultural heartland, but fortunately, we have enough food being imported in to help maintain our food system. LDC's may not have that luxury. No rain can lead to no harvest and leave the people malnourished, thus causing famine.
No comments:
Post a Comment