I’ve been thinking a lot about speculation lately. I’ve had recent opportunity to learn a little about the mining industry, which has had me learning about economics. Interesting stuff. I’ve heard several times that the recent increase in food prices is linked to an increase in commodities. So, the more oil and metals get traded, the more people get excited about trading corn and rice, and the price goes up.

I’m not comfortable with it. That’s not fair trade. It’s a free market, sure, and go ahead and make money where it doesn’t hurt anyone - but when people can’t afford to buy locally-produced staples anymore, something has gone wrong.

Greenpa’s got a good roundup of recent articles, which turned me from feeling vaguely uncomfortable to downright bothered by food speculation. He makes a good point: We don’t allow the same thing with water. Why food staples?

In local news, the price of flour has nearly doubled to around $14 per 10kg bag. I can’t find my favourite Red Fife wheat flour at all. Milk went up a couple of months ago to $7.11 per 4L jug. I haven’t felt the pinch yet, in part because the end of term has brought me extra tutoring money, but I’m uneasy.

What I can do: I will pray. I will make sure that the money I give this month goes to fighting hunger. I will talk to friends and see if anyone has any good ideas, and I will write to my MP. I’ll continue to make an effort to eat locally-grown foods, and get involved in our brand-new community garden. I’m very bothered by people starving because we’ve priced them out of the market. Me growing a few tomatoes isn’t going to change it, but if I don’t make an effort to live sustainably myself, I’m a bigger part of the problem.

I’m a little scared, but I’ve got to try.