As Dangerous as Terrorism

By Peter Cohen

OpEdNews.Com

While we are focused on the War in Iraq with increasing concern, another powerful storm is approaching. A combination of water, oil and food shortages are threatening world security.

Multiple hurricanes have convinced most people that we can no longer afford to ignore the reality of global warming and its many unforeseen side effects. Global warming has results other than hurricanes and rising seas. Killer heat waves are not only deadly, they also reduce crop productivity and contribute to food shortages.

For the last few years grain production has been falling while demand continues to rise. Grain stocks are depleted and regional shortages are increasing.

At the same time environmentalists report that in many parts of the world water supplies are decreasing as farmers deplete the underground aquifers that they use for irrigation while other water supplies are wasted. In China and North Africa deserts are growing and villagers are becoming refugees. Shifting weather patterns caused by global warming produce flooding in some areas and droughts in others that further threaten food supplies.

Petroleum experts inform us that we are at the peak of oil production. This means that it is very unlikely that any large new fields will be found. As a result, supplies will decline and prices are almost certain to rise. Petroleum is used in the transportation of farm products, the operation of farm machinery and pumps for irrigation.

Declining water and oil supplies will further reduce food production as farmers can¹t afford to cultivate and irrigate their fields. The resulting shortages will drive up food prices worldwide and could produce millions of hungry refugees as well as failed states in this decade.

These threatening problems can be controlled through planning and close international cooperation. With modern techniques water can be distributed and used more efficiently. Reducing meat consumption can use grain supplies to feed more people.

Dwindling oil reserves can be extended by more efficient vehicles and industrial processes. And alternative energy sources, such as wind generation, are quickly becoming competitive replacements for oil and coal.

Global warming will continue to make problems worse, but it can be limited by reducing the burning of fossil fuels and the number of methane-producing farm animals. Many of the Earth¹s nations recognize the seriousness of global warming and are now working on these and other solutions.

In the United States we have been distracted from these problems by the dismissive statements of the Bush administration and the corporations who profit from the burning of fossil fuels, the manufacture of large, inefficient vehicles and other wasteful and damaging processes. It is easier for some companies to support lobbyists and provide campaign contributions in order to avoid facing these problems than it is to solve them. But our nation can no longer afford the luxury of ignoring worldwide problems. Neglect is making them too dangerous.

Peter Cohen is an artist and activist living in Santa Barbara. He can be reached at aerie@silcom.com 1116 N. Milpas St. Santa Barbara CA 93103

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