Global Problem

Socio-economic aspects of the food problem         World food problem is called one of the major unsolved problems of the XX century. Over the past 50 years in food production have made significant progress - the number of malnourished and hungry people fell by almost half. At the same time a considerable part of the world's population still feels the shortage of food. The number of those who need them more than 800 million people, absolute shortage of food (in calories) feels out of every seven.         The most acute problem of food shortages is in many developing countries (these statistics include the UN and a number of post-socialist states). Among the most needy countries, where average per capita consumption of food by the energy value of less than 2000 kcal per day and continues to decline, are Togo and Mongolia. At the same time in some developing countries the level of per capita consumption is now greater than 3,000 kcal per day, ie is quite acceptable level. This category includes, in particular, Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Morocco, Syria.         World agricultural production is constrained because of limited land, both in developed and developing countries. This is due to a high level of urbanization, the need to preserve forest areas, limited water resources. The most acute problem of food shortages facing the poorest countries who are not able to allocate significant resources to import food.         Despite the fact that most food is consumed where it is produced, the international trade in food products is very intense. The volume of global food exports of over $ 300 billion a year. The main participants of the international trade in food - developed countries: USA, France, the Netherlands, Germany and others, which account for 60% of world exports and imports. About a third of purchases and sales of food falls on Asia, Africa and Latin America. Proportion of countries with economies in transition is negligible and less than 5%.         The most actively conducted international trade in grain production, to a lesser extent meat and dairy products and sugar. The main suppliers of grain are the U.S., Canada, EU (mainly France), Argentina and Australia. They account for 9 / 10 world exports of wheat and coarse grains.         Countries - Exporters of food - are at the same time its major customers. Thus, the U.S., securing a key position in the supply of strategic raw food materials, imported large quantities of fruits and vegetables, coffee, cocoa, tea, spices and other goods.         The international trade in agricultural products, including food, is currently undergoing radical changes. The need for reform in this area was caused by the growth of state support and protectionism in many countries, particularly developed countries.         The policy is to support high domestic prices led to overproduction of a number of agricultural products and the wide dissemination of export subsidies and restrictions on imports, which in turn complicated the inter-state relations in the foreign field. The absence of internationally agreed rules and procedures often are the reason for any conflict with the potential to undermine the stability of international trade and the emergence of trade wars. The main "battle" unfolded between the EU and the U.S., which, because of problems with selling practiced large-scale use of subsidies for the supply of grain to foreign markets. These actions aroused the active opposition from Canada, Australia and other smaller exporters, whose financial situation does not allow to use subsidies to large sizes.         The question of reducing protectionism in foreign trade in agricultural products is one of the most important in the World Trade Organization (WTO). An important place in its basic documents is the Agreement on Agriculture, which involves the transfer of all non-tariff barriers into tariff equivalents, and the gradual reduction of tariffs, reduction of export subsidies, reduction of state support for agricultural production.         At the same time developing countries adopt the reduced commitment (two thirds of the commitments of developed countries), and they are put into effect for over 10 years of age. Least developed countries generally exempt from the obligation.         As a result of these actions can be expected to strengthen the position in the global food market countries that have the most developed agriculture, focused on the needs of foreign markets (U.S., EU, Canada, Australia, Argentina, etc.). At the same time, agricultural producers in the states - a net importer of food - if you fail to adapt to new conditions, will suffer significant losses due to reduction in subsidies for their production. The population of these countries may face increasing imports of basic agricultural commodities, primarily grains, sugar, meat and dairy products and, accordingly, with rising prices of food sold, as local products will no longer be subsidized.         In addition to the WTO, another important organization, which defines the outlook for the world food situation, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This organization, in activities which Russia participates as a permanent observer, and the international community as a whole, paying serious attention to the prospects of solving the food problem in needy countries, including countries with economies in transition. If you have previously (in the 70-80s.) Is the most important role was played by food aid, at the present time the emphasis has shifted to encouraging the development of national agriculture. The main form of assistance to the agricultural sector by both FAO and major donor countries (the U.S. and EU) is funding for specific projects focusing on the development of agriculture. For these purposes, in particular, spent most of FAO's budget, $ 1 billion. Also provides technical assistance, including training for agriculture, providing expert advice, the implementation of peer reviews, etc. Examples of real support for the development of national agriculture by the FAO is distributing new high-yielding varieties of crops in countries in need, transfer them to advances in biotechnology, development and assist in the implementation of projects to expand food production, infrastructure construction in rural areas, etc.         Many international experts agree that food production in the world in the next 20 years will be able to meet the demand of the whole population for food, even if the world population will grow by 80 million people. The demand for food in developed countries, where it is already quite high, will remain approximately at current levels (the changes will affect mainly the structure of consumption and product quality). At the same time, international efforts to solve the food problem will result, as expected, the real increase in food consumption in countries where there is a lack of it, that is, in some countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe.                 The problem of resource depletion         In the last third of XX century. of world development problems to identify the problems and the lack of depletion of natural resources, particularly energy and mineral resources.         The global energy resources and the problem is two close to the origin of the character of the problem - energy and raw materials. The problem of energy supply is largely derived from the problem of raw materials, as almost the majority of currently used methods of obtaining energy, in fact, the processing of specific energy commodities.         Of energy and raw materials as a global problem talking after the energy (oil) crisis 1972-1973. As a result of coordinated action by the State - Members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) simultaneously increased almost 10 times the price of crude oil they sell. Such a step, but on a smaller scale (the OPEC countries were unable to overcome the internal contradictions of competition), was undertaken in the early 80s. It is possible to speak about the second wave of the global energy crisis. As a result, for years 1972-1981. Oil prices rose to 14.5 times. In the literature it has been called "the world oil shock", which marked the end of an era of cheap oil and the price increase caused a chain reaction of various other commodities. Some analysts of that time regarded these events as evidence of depletion of nonrenewable natural resources of the world and mankind in the coming era of long-term energy and commodities, "hunger."         Energy and raw material crises 70s - early 80s. dealt a severe blow to the existing system of global economic relations and led to serious consequences in many countries. First of all, it affected those countries to develop their national economies to a large extent relied on a relatively cheap and stable energy imports and minerals.         The most profound crises of energy and raw materials have affected the majority of developing countries, casting doubt on the possibility of implementing them in national development strategies, and in some - and the chance of economic survival of the state. It is known that the vast majority of mineral resources in the territory of developing countries is concentrated in about 30 of them. The rest of the developing countries for their economic development, which is based in many of them were based on the idea of ​​industrialization, forced to import most of the necessary minerals and energy.         Energy and raw material crisis 70's and 80's. and carried the positive elements. First of all, united actions of suppliers of natural resources from developing countries allow outsiders in the country for individual agreements and organizations that commodity-exporting countries to conduct a more active foreign trade policy of the raw material. Thus, one of the largest exporters of oil and other energy and mineral resources was the former Soviet Union.         Second, the crisis gave impetus to the development of energy-saving technologies and materialosberegayuschih, increased raw materials saving mode, the acceleration of economic restructuring. These measures are taken, especially developed countries, will significantly mitigate the impact on energy resources crisis. In particular, only for 70-80s. energy intensity of production in developed countries declined by one quarter.         Increased attention has been paid to the use of alternative materials and energy sources. For example, in France in the 90s. at nuclear power plants produced about 80% of all electricity consumed. Currently, the global share of nuclear power production is 1 / 4.         Third, under the influence of the crisis were conducted large-scale geological exploration that led to the discovery of new oil and gas fields, as well as economically viable reserves of other natural resources. Thus, the major new areas of oil production are the North Sea and Alaska, mineral - Australia, Canada, South Africa.         In the end, pessimistic forecasts supply world demand for energy and mineral raw materials were replaced with optimistic calculations based on new data. If in the 70's - early 80-ies. adequate basic forms of energy estimated to be 30-35 years old, in the late 90's. it grew: for oil - up to 42 years, natural gas - up to 67 years, and for coal - up to 440 years.         Thus, the global energy and raw materials problems in the old sense of the dangers of absolute scarcity of resources in the world no longer exists. But by itself the problem of reliable supply of raw materials and energy of humanity remains.