Successful Food Security Action Needs Private Sector Support
Background An action plan on food price volatility and food security was agreed at the recent meeting of G20 Agriculture Ministers in Paris on 22-23 June 2011. The 56 point action plan will be submitted to the G20 leaders’ summit in November 2011. Comment At the G20 Summit, the agriculture ministers stressed that strong global...
Draft Agreement Promises Positive Outlook for Bangladesh Water Security
Background High-level talks between India and Bangladesh in June this year herald a timely agreement on the subject of sharing water from the Teesta River. The agreement represents an important gain for Bangladeshi water security and sets a positive precedent for future water-sharing arrangements. Comment India and Bangladesh have been trying to resolve the question...
Indonesian Beef Price Rises, while Export Ban gives Northern Australian Farmers Power to Negotiate
Background The ban on cattle exports to Indonesia will hit the Indonesian hip pocket and highlights the insecure state of Indonesia’s beef industry. Almost all of the beef Indonesia imports comes from Australia. The export ban will hasten Indonesia’s desire to obtain self-sufficiency, to such an extent that when the ban is lifted there may...
Action Call on Pending Global Water Crisis
Background A new panel is being established to address a serious void in leadership on global water issues. Twenty former heads of government from around the world met in Quebec City, Canada, on 31 May to consider the world water crisis. While several recommendations were adopted, implementation may be hampered because of the absence from...
E.Coli Outbreak Undermines European Food Security
Background The recent E.Coli outbreak across Europe, which has resulted in as many as 22 deaths, illustrates some of the many challenges to food security in a globalised world. Food security is not just an issue of quantity and availability but also of quality. It is a problem that is also faced by the developed...
Fear for Riots after New Food Price Highs
Background On 19 May 2011, the Chicago Board of Trade indicated that wheat futures rose to US$8.17 per bushel – a 91 per cent increase in less than a year. It is feared that riots in developing countries will be a consequence of the rising food prices. This is not necessarily the end of the...
Mining Undermines South African SKA Bid
Background The South African Government’s bid to build the $2.5 billion Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope could be undermined by the effects of a mining technique known as “fracking”. These concerns play into the hands of Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett as he travels to Europe this week to promote WA’s bid for the project,...
Chinese Admit Three Gorges Dam Failures
Background The Chinese Government has issued a statement admitting that the $23 billion Three Gorges hydro electric dam project is leading to deterioration in the ecology of the region and is vulnerable to geological disasters. The managers of the dam are confronted with conflicting demands for the water, while trying to return profits to their...
A Step Towards An Eco-Friendly Lifestyle In Tanzania
Background Tanzania is currently looking at developing a group of eco-villages with the financial support of the European Commission. Eco-villages are communities designed with the aim of promoting ecological, social and economic sustainability. To support the country’s efforts, the Commission launched the Global Climate Change Alliance in Tanzania on 26 October 2010. Tom Vens, the...