Oct 31, 2008

#97: Food For Thought (Friday, October 31)

Some statistics: 

  • To end world hunger would cost $30 billion a year -- the same amount that was spent last December to buy gifts
  • A mother dies every minute because there is no doctor, nurse or midwife by her side. The amount that US consumers spend on bottled water each year would be enough to pay for 700,000 midwives that could end this strategy.
  • $11 billion dollars could cover the cost of implementing universal primary education, half of what Americans spent on ice cream last year.
  • Every 5 seconds, a child dies from poverty. The $50 billion China spent preparing for the Olympics could help save these children.

You're probably wondering what this has to do with you. You've worked hard for your money and you should be able to enjoy it, right? That's true, but by making small lifestyle adjustments, you can make a difference:

For the cost of a few bottles of water or a drink at the club, you can feed a hungry person right in your neighborhood, or  protect a family from malaria for up to four years (www.nothingbutnets.net).

Purchasing fair trade products helps to ensure that farmers in developing countries can earn enough to lift themselves out of poverty (www.transfairusa.org)

Our actions do impact the lives of others.

No comments: