Mar 12 2009
Vandana Shiva Speaks Out on the Global Food Crisis
President Obama met with UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon earlier this week to discuss the global food crisis and the “potential threat” to food supplies if the economic crisis worsens. Last year there was much discussion about escalating food prices that left millions more people hungry. Now, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay warned of the perverse effect of falling prices of wheat, corn, and rice resulting in lower rates of investment in agriculture, which also leaves millions more hungry. The fact the food prices are dominated by the volatility of financial markets is a problem that many critics have pointed to. One such critic is internationally renowned physicist, environmental activist and author Vandana Shiva, who recently addressed an audience of students and professors at the University of Southern California. Her most recent books include “Earth Democracy: Justice, Sustainability, and Peace,” and “Soil Not Oil: Environmental Justice in an Age of Climate Crisis
GUEST: Vandana Shiva, author of “Soil Not Oil: Environmental Justice in an Age of Climate Crisis.”
Special thanks to Global Voices for Justice for recording this event. For more information, visit globalvoicesforjustice.org or call 310.283.0885.
5 Responses to “Vandana Shiva Speaks Out on the Global Food Crisis”
I heard this talk this morning-it was beyond riveting. Shiva is so compelling in her world work and education on this issue that she should be heard in front of the world court today-making the case in every area of health, environmental impact that the Monsantos, Cargills offshoots of the bio-tech, frankenseed industries are actually robbing people of nutritious food, livlihoods and causing even more devastating hunger worldwide.
This was an amazing speech. What has happened to agriculture parallels the process in the rest of consumer capitalism—nature was destroyed, replaced with something inferior, it was sold cheaply as a “good” thing, a few people made obscene profits, other people starved, and after a while the truth became evident that it was all poison to begin with, and the question is how to reverse it.
Terrific program.!! I wish I had known Vandana Shiva was speaking at USC!!!!! Where can I get a copy of this speech?
I have been a big admirer of Vandana Shiva, since I first heard her speak, a few years ago, in an interview with Sonali. I, too, would like to know where I can get a copy of this speech, given at USC.
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