Monday, April 18, 2005
Hungry Week - go a little hungry to highlight a major imbalance
Today sees the Web launch of Hungry Week, a project which has been gestating in Ecademy for a while. It has been developed using collaborative tools on the web and we are now looking for YOUR support. Around the world there are more than 1 billion overfed and obese people and more than 840 million people who are living in a state of chronic, persistent hunger. Developed countries are spending billions every year treating obesity related illnesses whilst 6 million children under the age of five die from the effects of hunger every year. Up to 7% of some healthcare budgets is spent on treating obesity-related illness - for example heart diease, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoarthritis and psychological symptoms.
This situation is not inevitable. According to the World Health Organisation, there are 2,750 calories of food per day for every person in the world at current production levels – enough to provide everyone with their minimum nutritional needs every day – and still have some to spare.
Take 30 seconds now to register your interest in this campaign. Then from 13th June this year, spend seven days feeling a little (or a lot) hungry.
One of our team, Jeremy Dent has just undertaken a Hungry Week in which he lived on 1,000 calories a day. His comment on Day 6 was "You know those things you take on rather glibly - giving your own time; helping someone out; giving to charity....you part with resources but it isn't too painful. Try parting with one of the most fundamental resources you need: shelter, companionship, love, warmth or....food.
My 1,000 cals a day diet this week has affected me fundamentally. It has changed my attitude to food, what we use it for, how people suffer without it, how listless you become on a below-par diet."
Please, if you do nothing else - do this. It costs you nothing except a little weight and it could be big enough for the politicians to hear us. In the 21st century there should not be such a shocking situation where some of us stuff ourselves with plenty whilst others die through lack of basic nutrition.
This situation is not inevitable. According to the World Health Organisation, there are 2,750 calories of food per day for every person in the world at current production levels – enough to provide everyone with their minimum nutritional needs every day – and still have some to spare.
Take 30 seconds now to register your interest in this campaign. Then from 13th June this year, spend seven days feeling a little (or a lot) hungry.
One of our team, Jeremy Dent has just undertaken a Hungry Week in which he lived on 1,000 calories a day. His comment on Day 6 was "You know those things you take on rather glibly - giving your own time; helping someone out; giving to charity....you part with resources but it isn't too painful. Try parting with one of the most fundamental resources you need: shelter, companionship, love, warmth or....food.
My 1,000 cals a day diet this week has affected me fundamentally. It has changed my attitude to food, what we use it for, how people suffer without it, how listless you become on a below-par diet."
Please, if you do nothing else - do this. It costs you nothing except a little weight and it could be big enough for the politicians to hear us. In the 21st century there should not be such a shocking situation where some of us stuff ourselves with plenty whilst others die through lack of basic nutrition.
