Doing our bit to help deal with global food shortage

It's no longer breaking news that the whole world is now facing an acute food shortage : source

Should not come as a surprise to anyone, unless you have been living under a coconut shell, or perhaps enjoy a care-free life where everything is provided (sort of like the life Siddhartha Gautama was living before he ventured out into the world).

As food becomes scarce and the population continues to grow, we find ourselves facing the inevitable rise in food prices. To the well to do, this increase in living cost come on more as an inconvenience. However, we should consider those who are less fortunate - how are they to cope with this trend when they can barely make enough to survive at present? Ultimately, many will face starvation, and there is no denying that in desperation, there will be some who will reluctantly be driven to a life of crime, with no other motive other than to put food on the table.

Just last weekend, while I was at my wife's home town for Mother's Day gathering, my brother-in-law shared some priceless thoughts on the subject matter.

Why is the world facing food shortage? Well, one obvious reason is that people tend to prepare more food than necessary for meals. Especially for wedding dinners, having surplus food is interpreted (unfortunately) as a sign of wealth and prosperity. Imagine if you are at a wedding dinner, and you leave afterwards still feeling hungry - you'd think that the family is rather "financially-challenged". So, people end up preparing eight course dinners, just for status and prestige.

Another reason that got me thinking. When we eat meat, from example, a chicken, think of what resources were spent to create that delicious drumstick on your dinner plate. Typically, from hatch-ling until plump hen, a chicken will consume grain, water, and so on until it's ready to become your meal instead. Same goes for other forms of meat - we don't realize it, but think of the amount of resources that go into them.

Now, take into consideration a vegetarian meal, for instance. To grow a plate of vegetables, you need plenty of sunshine, soil and water (all of which are available in abundance). In contrast to eating meat, we don't have to invest heavily with other resources in order to grow vegetables for consumption. Imagine, if we keep ourselves fed on our grain and greens, instead of using them to feed livestock which we will eventually consume ourselves, there will surely be enough food in the world for all of us! Thus, another reason for going on a green diet, is to make most efficient use of food.

In other words, we should try to eat from the bottom of the food chain. So next time you feel like ordering a large plate of chicken chop, give a little thought to the less fortunate.

Well, that's a new way to think of things. Makes sense to me. Always try to keep an open mind and take in other's views and ideas....