Senate Democrats are seeking to protect energy and climate programs targeted by the House’s aggressive budget cuts, a move that accelerates the chambers toward a clash over President Obama’s key priorities and a possible government shutdown. The world is consuming grains faster than farmers are growing them, draining reserves and pushing prices to the levels […]

Senate Democrats are seeking to protect energy and climate programs targeted by the House’s aggressive budget cuts, a move that accelerates the chambers toward a clash over President Obama’s key priorities and a possible government shutdown. The world is consuming grains faster than farmers are growing them, draining reserves and pushing prices to the levels that fueled food riots in poor countries three years ago. Ongoing shortages could leave the rebels too weak to topple Qaddafi, but the U.S. may be in a position to help. The world has become increasingly vulnerable to food crises in the wake of the global financial crisis and the commodity boom of 2007-08, the United Nations’ food body said Monday.

Democrats Provide a Counteroffer to GOP Cuts on Energy and Climate
ClimateWire
March 7, 2011

U.S. Farmers Head into Key Stretch for Harvests
WSJ
Scott Kilman
March 7, 2011

How Food Could Determine Libya’s Future
The Atlantic
Christopher R. Albon
March 7, 2011

U.N. Says World Vulnerable to Food Crises
WSJ
March 7, 2011
*Oxfam Quoted