Focus on fundamental causes of food crisis, say Greens

OTTAWA – The Green Party is urging meaningful actions by the Harper government in order to address the growing global food crisis. The prices of key foodstuffs, such as rice and corn, have increased substantially around the world, placing millions at risk of starvation. "There are fundamental solutions to this crisis that Canada can and must put forward in order to address this growing humanitarian concern," said Green Party leader Elizabeth May. "Urgent and genuine reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are necessary if we hope to mitigate further adverse effects of climate change." "It is ironic that the Harper Government is using food crops in a fraudulent effort to fight climate change when it is climate change that is partly causing the current food crisis," said Ms. May. "It is absolutely vital that we focus our aid on developing environmentally sustainable agriculture, poverty alleviation and programmes to combat and adapt to climate change," added Ms. May. The Green Party of Canada would take the following steps to address the food crisis:

• Increase the amount of aid provided by our government to developing nations from 0.5% to 0.7% of GDP by 2016.
• Take immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Fund major efforts to assist developing countries adapt, particularly aimed toward food security.
• Shift towards a fair trade model that emphasizes human and labour rights, ecosystems, and the development of local economies.
• Invest in real biofuel alternatives such as biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol from farm and forest wastes, rather than ethanol from crops grown directly for fuel.

"The current crisis is a sign of things to come. Oil prices will keep climbing. Climate impacts - such as drought and severe weather events - will worsen. Our solutions must be grounded in this reality. Getting off fossil fuels, supporting women in developing countries who grow most of the food, re-organizing our economies to put energy efficiency and renewable energy at the top of our priorities, while increasing short term food aid, must be at the foundation of our response," said Ms. May.