February 3, 2011 - Record Food Prices & Cold... And A Warm Beach

Record World Food Prices

The United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization released their stats for January, 2011 and world food prices hit an all-time high. The 3.4% increase was the seventh month in a row that prices on basic food supplies (cereals, oils, sugar, dairy, fats and meat) rose.

I reported last week how a Big Brain economist warned how rapidly rising food prices would cause global instability. This same economist, Nouriel Roubini, told CNN that the eruptions happening in Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Pakistan and Algeria are related to unemployment, low income and rising food prices. Hmmmm Are we seeing a pattern here?

See http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/02/03/world.food.prices.rise/index.html?hpt=T2

Mexico Breaks 1951 Cold Record

The monster winter storm that has affected 30 U.S. states, breaking many records there for amount of snowfall and extreme cold, has also dipped down south of the border and broke a record in Ciudad Juarez. The temps dived below 9°F, breaking their 1951 record. Que frio!

See http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41402548/ns/weather/

Australia Check In

Luckily for Australia, cyclone Yasi, the worst storm to hit the area ever, made her way through a relatively unpopulated part of Queensland. Although the damage to towns, homes and businesses was lighter than expected, the storm pretty much wiped out the banana and sugar cane crop.

Well, there ya go! Weren't we just talkin' about higher food prices?! Add to the above list bananas and blow the sugar record out of the water! Certainly, prices on these affected cmmodities will rise even further.

See http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/02/03/cyclone.yasi.reaction/index.html?hpt=Mid

Head to a Warm Beach

Now for the best climate news of the entire week... What do you do when the world is falling apart? Head to a nice, warm, sun-kissed beach!! =)

Tomorrow, February 4, is my birthday, so my wife and I are headin' to the beach for a three day weekend to soak up some delicious sunshine, drink cold drinks on the beach and dance the nights away.

What I'm gettin' at, besides havin' a really great time, is that I won't be posting a blog until my return, either Sunday night or Monday. You guys can help me out tremendously by skimming the headlines and emailing me any interesting tidbits which follow along the lines of what I've been sharing. With your help, I can get the updates out faster when I return. Just send your news links to me at writer.rod.white@gmail.com.

Wishing everyone a fabulous weekend! Keep building your spiritual arks while keeping your eyes to the sky and tulest te eh dasse (listen to the wind)!!