Editorials
From "Maple Street Co-op News", June/July 2008
By Leigh Robshaw
Hi readers,
As I write, the United Nations is holding emergency meetings on the
world food crisis, predicting food production must increase by 50 per
cent by 2030 to meet increasing demand. Meanwhile, food crops are being
burned to make biofuel.
Consider Swaziland. In the midst of a famine and receiving emergency
food aid, its government is exporting biofuel made from cassava, one
of its staple food crops. Madness!
But that's just one of 37 countries facing food shortages, mainly in
Africa, Asia and Latin America (even before the full effects of climate
change have hit), while we in the Western world face an obesity epidemic
and remain obliviously addicted to our cars.
Governments have grabbed onto biofuels like the last life raft on the
Titanic. All UK transport fuel vendors are now required to mix standard
fuel with ethanol or biodiesel made from crops. British writer George
Monbiot, says this is a "crime against humanity, in which every driver
in this country has been forced to participate". Scary stuff.
It's clear we can't wait for governments to improve public transport,
build more bike paths and restrict vehicle use; or for some genius to
discover a fuel that won't cause world starvation and planetary destruction;
or for the health of people to be prioritised over the health of the
economy.
As Gandhi said, we need to be the change we want to see in the world.
Maleny is blessed with many inspiring, proactive thinkers and doers,
already taking action towards creating a sustainable future - already
being that change.
Sustainable Maleny (story page 6) and the Blackall Range Growers' Market
(story page 7, photo below left) are two groups promoting relocalisation
and self-sufficency in response to the food, fuel and energy problems
we're facing. They're taking small, steady steps. You've got to start
somewhere, and grassroots groups like these are leading the way. We'd
like to feature more such groups in the Co-op News, so send
us your details and we'll happily follow it up.
Adios amigos, Leigh
[From "Maple Street Co-op News", June/July 2008; published by The Maple
Street Co-operative Society Ltd, 37 Maple Street, Maleny, Qld 4552,
Australia, tel (07) 5494 2088, email maplest.co-op@serv.net.au,
website http://www.maplestreetco-op.com.au]