Lester R. Brown

Long after the political uprisings in the Middle East have subsided, many underlying challenges that are not now in the news will remain. Prominent among these are rapid population growth, spreading water shortages, and ever growing food insecurity.

The U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization reported in early March that food prices reached another record high, as the price of basic food staples continued to soar.  The Index indicated that wheat and coffee prices have doubled in the past 12 months, while cocoa jumped 25 percent in just two

We are facing issues of near-overwhelming complexity and unprecedented urgency. Can we think systemically and fashion policies accordingly? Can we change direction before we go over the edge? Here are a few of the many facts from the book to consider:

• * Developing countries shoulder rising costs from disasters
• * Earthquakes, floods cost $109 bln in 2010 vs $35 bln 2009
• * Decaying infrastructure described as risk in urban areas

By Laura MacInnis

By Ania Lichtarowicz Health reporter, BBC News

The Associated Press

UN food agencies say persistent food crises are leaving 166 million people in 22 countries chronically hungry.

There are conflicting opinions over a World Bank report which suggests biofuels have forced global food prices up by 75%.

The original study in 2008 depicted a direct correlation between the spike in prices of food products and the increased global use of biofuels.

By EDITH M. LEDERER (AP)

Jun 23, 2010