GreenWatch

B. McPherson Changing weather patterns around the world are causing droughts and crop failures. The American mid-west which produces more corn and soy than any other country is facing the worst drought in 56 years. While the harvest isn’t in in the US, estimates are that it will be about 30% lower than usual. Already those bidding on corn commodities have pushed the price up by about 50%. Wheat crops in Canada are about normal with adequate rainfall in most areas except the Peace River area in the north which is dry. Drought in the Ukraine, Russia and Kazakhstan has curtailed grain in those countries. Argentina and Brazil are both experiencing drought conditions. India had disappointing rain yield from their monsoon season. The global food harvest may be as poor as 2008 when hunger drove many to agitate for subsidized food supplies. India curtailed the export of their lower grades of rice so that supplies could be available to their own residents. This year th...

B. McPherson Pirates roam the high seas. They have been blamed for causing environmental damage, for fostering terrorism and for looting the oceans. Forget the image of Captain Hook or Pirates of the Caribbean. These modern day pirates have business suits and may never sail the high seas. These pirates don’t fly the Jolly Roger. They fly flags of convenience. The first flag of convenience is believed to have been flown in the 1920s. After WWII the overseas registry of ships increased as a former US Secretary of State formed a company in conjunction with the country of Liberia. That company eventually devolved to become the International Bank of Washington. When things got too hot in Liberia with their civil wars other countries with weak pollution laws, few or no international agreements regarding fish quotas, civil rights were targeted. Georgia, Dominica, Belize have offered their flags for sale. The Republic of the Marshall Islands in the South Pacific now...