on reflection was your time alone ..not posting a good idea?????Originally Posted by ber
How close are we to a World Famine?
I personally think each day that passes we are getting ever closer
The world population is increasing by 75 million a year and vital resources are
rapidly running out. If we have not reached peak oil we will deff within next
decade or two, it is predicted that in the not so distant future oil will trade at
$200 dollars a barrell. Outside of the obvious knock on effects of transport,
energy etc it is a vital component in the production of fertilizers which are
what drive our intensive agricultural systems, without intensive agriculture
the population of the world could not be fed.
A much more critical natural resource is predicted to hit peak around 2030,
this has more or less gone under the radar.
The name of this finite resource is phosphate, it is used in fertilization of all
crops, for instance a wheat crop without proper phosphorous levels would
probably lead to a 50% reduction in yield.
Imagine the consequences of 50% less wheat being produced it would mean
instant devestation mass starvation
Phosphate is mined as a rock , Europe has absolutely NO phosphate deposits
we have to import it all .
Last year 2/3 of all phosphate was mined in 3 countries 35% in China who are
now restricting exports
17% in the USA which has now stopped exports completly
15% in Morrocco with other smaller deposits making up the rest
The geographical locations wouldnt exactly inspire confidence.
To raise these issues is not considered good politically so they are
conveniently brushed under the carpet, but there will be a day of
reckoning and much sooner than people may think.
Personally when doomsday arrives i wont have alot of sympathy as
the race to the bottom for cheap food has left Europe swinging in
wind as far as food security is concerned.
So to recap u reap what u sow, pun intended
We mine 158 million tonnes of phosphate rock every year
when thats gone tis gonna be a hell of a heap to replace
Well it will put being answerable to the IMF into perspective
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