Al-Jazeera
As drought hits the US, the 2012 harvest of corn and other food staples may fall short of predictions [EPA]
The Great Drought of 2012 is yet to come to an end, but we already know that its consequences will be severe. With more than one-half of US counties designated as drought disaster areas, the 2012 harvest of corn, soybeans and other food staples is guaranteed to fall far short of predictions. This, in turn, will boost food prices domestically and abroad, causing increased misery for farmers and low-income Americans - and far greater hardship for poor people in countries that rely on imported US grains.
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This, however, is just the beginning of the likely consequences: if history is any guide, rising food prices of this sort will also lead to widespread social unrest and violent conflict.
Food - affordable food - is essential to human survival and well-being. Take that away, and people become anxious, desperate and angry. In the United States, food represents only about 13 per cent of the average household budget, a relatively small share, so a boost in food prices in 2013 will probably not prove overly taxing for most middle and upper-income families. It could, however, produce considerable hardship for poor and unemployed Americans with limited resources.
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