The U.S. and Australia have been the breadbasket that fed famine-stricken areas of Africa and Asia in recent decades. Global climate change may be weakening that foundation of world food security.
"The United States, the breadbasket and supplier of last resort for a hungry world, has been such an amazing food producer in the last half-century that most Americans take for granted annual bounteous harvests of grain, meat, dairy, fruits, vegetables and other crops.
When horrific images of drought or famine in Africa, Asia or other regions land in American media, America is usually first in line with food aid shipments, air drops, and other rescue efforts from its seemingly endless stores.
The U.S. alone accounts for half of all world corn exports, 40 percent of soybean exports and 30 percent of wheat exports.
But climate change fears are sounding some warning bells."
Christine Stebbins reports for Reuters September 6, 2011.
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