GEP - Current Events Email - June 01, 2008

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Dear Teacher:

Each month World Savvy will post current events resources for one topic, with links for articles at varying reading levels, a list of relevant standards, and discussion questions and curriculum that can be used to teach about the issues covered by that news story. For more in-depth current events resources, please preview and subscribe to our Global Affairs Monitor, monitor.worldsavvy.org.


In this issue (quicklinks):


Growing Global Food Crisis

Throughout the spring of 2008, there have been increasing reports of rising food prices, spiraling into a food crisis for many people around the world. In May 2008, the UN released a report indicating that more than 80 countries will not be able to produce or import enough food to feed their citizens. The effects of this crisis are being felt all around the world, and the causes have global implications as well - international trade, farm subsidies, biofuels, increasing population, and economic speculation among them.

Advanced Article: www.economist.com
Intermediate Article: www.cnn.com
Beginning Article: news.bbc.co.uk

Background and Multimedia:
(articles, pictures, video, personal stories and more) news.bbc.co.uk
(Audio) marketplace.publicradio.org

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is happening to food prices around the world? What are the impacts of this?
  2. What are some of the causes of the food crisis?
  3. Some experts have criticized the use of biofuels as a major cause for the crisis. What are biofuels? How could they be contributing to the food crisis? Do you agree or disagree that they are part of the problem?
  4. Describe the connection between population and the food crisis.
  5. How do you think the international community should respond to the growing food crisis? What should the United States in particular do?

Curriculum:

  1. NY Times - Running out of Rice? Addressing the Causes and Effects of the Global Food Crisis: Read it now >>
  2. Food for Thought - a Simulation of Population Growth and Inequity of Resources (land, food, wealth, etc.) around the world: Read it now >>
  3. Facing the Future - “Farming for the Future” (scroll down and click the lesson title): Read it now >>
  4. Oxfam Education - resources on teaching about global food and hunger for elementary school: Read it now >>
  5. Indy Kids: one page reading on causes of the food crisis and the role of speculation: Read it now >>

California Standards:

World History: 10.11 - Integration of Countries into Modern World Economy
Economics: 12.1 - Economic Terms and Concepts, 12.6 - International Trade
Mathematics: Mathematical Reasoning, Statistical Analysis, Understanding Graphs and Charts

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