tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532313388110978122.post7348901319713662723..comments2023-10-28T00:47:18.069-07:00Comments on Weeks Population: Can We Keep Feeding a Growing Population? Problems AboundJohn Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04069566137451684355noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532313388110978122.post-47622808448721650552014-11-03T18:37:08.021-08:002014-11-03T18:37:08.021-08:00Indeed. The issue of the global food supply is on...Indeed. The issue of the global food supply is one of the most critical concerns going forwards. There are many problems. But let me focus on just one. Our economic system involves types of investments that do not promote real equality, or producivity, in the food supply. <br /><br />If we had simply remained with an invesment system based on stocks and stock prices, I think it would have been fine. However, many of the key foods in the world today are traded through the Commodities Markets. Such markets depend on substantial financial leverage. The concept was fine - when the world was "normal". The concept is badly flawed today ... in a world where huge amounts of money (often borrowed at almost zero interest rates) are used to invest in short-term profit gain i.e. a gambling casino mentality. Hedge fund managers are well aware that food is in limited supply, and offers a low-risk investment in a world with a spiralling population. <br /><br />Such "short-term money" only guarantees large price swings and instability in the food commodities, at a time when we badly need long-term investment and real problem solving. It's not a good thing - and almost certainly will create wars and riots. Our global political systems, and economic systems, are simply not set up to deal with the "Future Shock" that is headed towards the human race.<br /><br />Pete Pollock, Redondo Beach, CAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com