Topic: Food Riots

A discussion on climate policy highlights the unintended consequences of the U.S. ethanol mandate, which diverted a third of the corn crop to fuel production. This shift caused global food prices to double, leading to riots in Mexico and hindering relief agencies trying to feed the poor in Africa. The segment argues that while stewardship of the earth is a shared value, poorly planned carbon reduction strategies can cause immediate human suffering.

The uprising in Egypt is described primarily as a riot over rising food and flour prices rather than a purely political movement. The media narrative focusing on Google executive Wael Ghonim as the "face of the revolution" is dismissed as a myth created to highlight the power of the internet. The hosts compare the public's susceptibility to these narratives to the blind support for projects like high-speed rail in the United States.

European scientists have developed genetically modified chickens that cannot transmit bird flu. Meanwhile, the United Nations warns of a global food crisis and potential riots as food prices reach dangerous levels, similar to the conditions that led to the ousting of Tunisia's leader.

Violent food riots have erupted in Algeria as global commodity prices reach record highs, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Double-digit food inflation is affecting major economies like China and India, while Kenya has issued famine alerts. World Bank President Robert Zoellick has urged the G20 to avoid protectionist measures and ensure adequate food supplies for the poor as prices for sugar and meat continue to climb.

A 10-year down cycle similar to the Great Depression is predicted, with the potential for significant starvation and food riots in American cities. This cycle is viewed as an inevitable natural occurrence rather than a result of specific bad actors. While some prepare with gold and gardens, others remain skeptical that the downturn will reach such extreme levels of societal collapse.

Historical economic downturns in the 1930s and 1970s often took a decade to resolve but produced significant cultural and artistic output. Modern risks include rising unemployment and potential food riots. Some suggest that during periods of hyperinflation, established international banks in countries like Brazil might offer safer havens for capital than domestic institutions.