How's That Climate Treating You?

The Guardian has an interesting article that offers just one alternative for survival in an ever warming planet.   Vegetarianism is certainly something that many could, and possibly should, consider.  The article makes some valid points about food costs in water and the ability of our current system to addressing those costs.  Seventy percent increase in food production needed over then next 48 years, combined with a disappearing fresh water supply, and dwindling land availability does not make for a bright future as it stands now.

Some of the comments at the end of the article suggest that the melting polar caps will solve the water imbalance but, clearly these people have spent little time trying to get to either of the poles where travel is difficult even before considering trying to collect and transport unmelted ice.  You would have to harvest that ice because if you wait for it to melt, most will end up in the oceans and will be of limited use.  This does not even consider the fact that removing those ice caps will have even greater devastating effects on global warming.

The oceans themselves may hold the key to our water needs but, the technologies needed for desalination on a large enough scale have not been advanced enough.  The only immediate hope for the oceans providing more fresh water is through greater numbers of weather events that would disperse this water as part of the natural water cycle.  That would be a lot of weather events and of course soil erosion and flooding become the new issues.

The problem with the vegetarian solution, though, is that many of our vegetables that give us the healthiest nutritional values also require a lot of water, especially when grown in drier, less arable lands that most of the population will be forced to live.  The solution to this problem will require countries to actually engage in greater food trade to sustain populations and preserve lands for farming.  Sorry locavores.

It ain't easy living on a warming planet with a rapidly growing population.

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Is It Hot Enough for You Now?

Another story on the effects global warming will be having on the food industry.  And, while oysters may not seem like an important thing to worry about, keep in mind they play an important part in the ecology as well as the food chain.

A New Take On Corn Mazes

Let me know if these articles are depressing you.  Here is another story of the effect global warming is having on the food supply.  In this case, the poor corn crop will have an astounding impact on several consumer products, not just the corn itself.  Gas prices will be higher; milk and other dairy prices (which have already been climbing) will increase; beef, lamb, chicken and even pork will be more expensive.  In addition, other grains such as wheat, oats and barley will increase in price as farmers look to replace corn as their main winter feed.  As grains become scarcer in grocery stores, consumers will look to other staples to replace them, so expect increases in potatoes, rice and legumes.

These are the kinds of every day struggles humans will have to get used to in the uncertainty of a rapidly warming planet.  Mix in our ever expanding populations and our tenuous hold on civility could unravel as quickly as it has in the Arab and North African regions.  Our society needs a cultural make over; one that places less emphasis on the automobile, coal fired electricity, disposable everything and the belief that everything will always be there when we want it.  It seems to me that, in the story of the grasshopper and the ants, our generation has missed the moral.

Some of the ways to limit the impact of these uncertain times are already trendy amongst the hipster foodies, which is a shame because those trends always get lost when new ones take their place.  But, we need to start looking at food as less about pleasure and more about sustenance if we are to accomodate more of us.  The good news is, we can still find pleasure and enjoyment in this list:

1) Grow your own.  If you have access to some land that could be cleared and tilled and seeded you would do a lot to secure your food supply by planting a few basic crops to supplement your grocery list.  And it doesn't even take a lot of land to do it.
2) Share your seeds.  If you do start to grow your own food, the first thing you will notice is how expensive some seeds and seedlings can be.  But, learning to save your own seeds is easy enough and you can even trade with your friends and neighbours
3) Canning and Preserving.  This is where food and culture really meet.  Have a canning party; give preserves as gifts; exchange recipes.  It's fun for the whole family.  And, if you need a lesson, I will bet there is an Italian family within walking distance of you, if your live in Markham/Toronto/Anywhere, who would be happy to show you how easy it is.
4) Attend food swaps.  Here you can swap what you have too much of for items you are in need of.  Can't find a local swap?  Check our YYZ Food Swap on Facebook.

I hear you all saying that you can't fit that into your busy schedules.  Well, cut down on dinner parties and pot lucks and throw seed exchanges and food swaps instead.  Just as easy as a cookie swap at Christmas without all the annoying christians.  All of this, I am convinced, would be better for our health, our planet and our society.