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stitchenal
On Sunday I read an article in the NYT that struck me, because it connected the two issues of ‘Climate Change‘ and ‘Food Productivity.’
The article is entitled, “Extreme Weather Helps Drive Up Food Prices,” by Elisabeth Rosenthal, and it highlights how extreme weather conditions over the past year have lead to higher food and grain prices.
The article begins by sharing that the Food Price Index has hit a record high, 214, compared to its history since it was established by the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization in 1990.
For example, here are a list of major events that have hurt food production:
- Russian wheat crops destroyed by drought and high summer temperatures
- Pakistan’s flooding wiping out crop production
- Laos and Cambodia- low crop yields due to a lack of rain
- Australian drought, lack of rain, and then flooding
- United States early flooding in 2011- lack of early planting and spring harvest
Beyond just the statistics and science of this conversation, this article highlights the compounding issues of food security, global development, food production, and environmental stewardship. Each one of these issues is a problem in itself, but combined these issues multiply the effect and impact.
As faith communities, and local churches in the USA, we often do not consider these issues, unless we live or work in a community that is directly impacted by something like the current floods in the midwest and south. However, many denominations and global ministries (like Week of Compassion, World Council of Churches, or Global Ministries) face these issues on a daily basis.
As a faith community that considers its missional impact, I would encourage you to think about how your church can provide resources and learning opportunities that can be both global or local in nature.
Some examples include:
- Creating a community garden or food bank
- Start a bible study and small group to discuss these types of topics
- Hold a fundraising event to support missions that address these topics (like Wine into Water)
- Doing a mission trip to a developing country greatly affected by food prices
- Creating a ‘Green Team’ in your church
As always, I encourage you to think about how your faith can create change in the community and world, and how your church can serve in a “movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.”
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