Highlighting the need of people around the world to free themselves from dependence on the system, a UN report has called for a shift to natural, local farming as necessary to avert a burgeoning world food crisis. The UNESCO study’s three conclusions after reviewing the state of world agriculture were:

• Technological advances in agriculture have not benefitted the poor and have come with great ecological costs
• Food producers should use “natural processes” such as organic fertilizers and techniques like crop rotation
• Food should be consumed close to where it is grown

“The status quo is no longer an option,” said UNESCO adviser Guilhem Calvo. “We must develop agriculture less dependent on fossil fuels, that favors the use of locally available resources.”

Droughts and other climate events linked to global warming, coupled with rising oil prices, have led to a surge in food prices around the world.