A New Era of World Hunger? – The Global Food Crisis Analyzed (July 2008)

This paper discusses the main causes of the steep run-up in global food prices and the resulting spread of hunger to nearly a billion people worldwide. Authors James A. Paul and Katarina Wahlberg conclude that biofuels and the agro-industrial approach to food production are the main culprits of the food crisis. The paper looks at a wide range of factors endangering nutrition for all, including population growth, unsustainable consumption, international trade policy and climate change. The authors argue for effective and generous short-term aid as well as longer-term transformation of the agricultural system to make it more justly distributive, resilient, and sustainable for the future. (Global Policy Forum/Friedrich Ebert Foundation)
What's New on Social and Economic Policy | GPF's Page on World Hunger

Picture Credit: Greenpeace

Crude Oil – The Supply Outlook (October 2007)

This Energy Watch Group report uses data from ten world regions to project the future of global oil supply. The study finds that oil production reached its peak in 2006 – earlier than most experts had predicted. After large oil fields pass their production peak, new smaller fields have to be developed. But smaller fields reach their peak quickly. The report predicts that the production rate of oil will decrease by 2030 and costs will increase. The supply gap will affect all aspects of daily life as consumers are forced to lower their energy usage.
What's New on Social and Economic Policy | GPF's Page on the Environment

Picture Credit: EV World

The "Surge" of Prisoners (May 7, 2008)

Amid all the talk about the US military "surge" in Iraq, little has been said about the accompanying "surge" of Iraqi prisoners, whose numbers rose to nearly 51,000 at the end of 2007. Global Policy Forum’s Ciara Gilmartin states that “US forces hold nearly all detainees indefinitely without charge, an arrest warrant or the opportunity to defend themselves.” Human rights monitors, including the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), are denied access to detention centers in Iraq by US officials. This lack of oversight not only increases the likelihood of detainee abuse, but also violates international human rights law. (Foreign Policy in Focus)
GPF's Page on Iraq | Torture and Prison Abuse in Iraq | What's New on Iraq

Picture Credit: Agence France Presse/Filei

Causes and Strategies on World Hunger: Green Revolution versus Sustainable Agriculture (May 2008)

Global Policy Forum’s Katarina Wahlberg criticizes the World Bank’s proposal to create a Green Revolution in Africa. By focusing on boosting agricultural production through scientific development of more productive crops, the Bank disregards the fact that the Earth’s biological systems cannot be exploited forever. The supporters of the new Green Revolution also fail to address the major causes of the global food crisis, including biofuel production and unsustainable global consumption of meat. The author calls for a shift from industrial agriculture of export crops to sustainable agriculture for local consumption. (World Economy & Development in Brief)
What's New on Social and Economic Policy | GPF's Page on World Hunger

Updated Tables and Charts on UN Finance May 31st!

GPF’s updated tables and charts show UN members’ contributions and debts to the UN regular and peacekeeping budgets.

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