The Parrot Speaks – Even cow-dung is now in demand

Jun 08, 2008 Features / Columnists

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The Parrot, like many others, has come to the stark realization of the demands of the global high food and fuel prices. The demands globally seem never ending if a list were to be made: a demand for rice, a demand for corn, a demand for wheat and a demand for milk amongst other demands. There is a demand now to “stretch the dollar” by travelling less, whether you have your own vehicle or not; buying just the basic groceries; renting just one DVD per week so as to conserve electricity; one bath per day to reduce the water bill and other measures too numerous to mention. The reality is that these measures are being implemented by affected consumers in developed countries including the United States. The international news “buffs” are aware of this. While Guyana is affected, the impact is much more in countries where many would love to migrate.

I have alluded to this and the high prices in many squawks, but given the international attention it is receiving everyday, I feel a demand to continue to squawk about it. I have noticed that there are now what seems to be permanent “spots” on major international television networks regarding this issue. Looking at the BBC, NBC Today Show and Evening News and other similar shows, the prominence given is a reflection of its impact. In some cases it took precedence over the much talked about Obama/Clinton “show”.

More recently, looking at one of our local “networks” (actually the word is in the name of the outfit), I noticed news from the sub-continent of India where the story was the same; high prices and how to deal with it. Just a few days ago India was forced to increase the price of fuel by some four rupees per litre; an increase of 10% overall. Of course the opposition there condemned the increase and unfairly blamed the government. What was interesting was the response of a government official who noted that the cost of crude oil has risen by over 200% while the increase passed on to consumers was just over 40%. He was adamant about the measures his government has implemented to help reduce the impact of the crisis to about a billion people in that emerging superpower. These measures include subsidies and the reduction of consumption and other taxes.

Listening to the official, one could have easily seen the many similarities in what was implemented here given the fact that all our fuel is imported. The increase we pay at the pumps here is far less than what the real increase should be in relation to importation costs. It should be noted that both the Prime Minister of India and President Jagdeo are respected economists. I am sure that the administration must feel vindicated when perusing what India has done. With two economists at the helm of the two countries and with almost similar measures being implemented, something must have been done right.

Of course the economy of Guyana cannot be compared to that of India despite both being classified as developing countries, but the fact that the measures implemented locally were lauded regionally and internationally speaks volumes and must be seen for what they are worth.

In retrospect, the bombing of the World Trade Centre changed the world in 2001; in 2008 the world has changed again as a result of the spiraling fuel prices. What’s ironic is that “efforts” to rid the world of terrorism which was blamed for the 9/11 bombing have resulted in a different form of “terrorism”; the oil companies holding the world “hostage” with high prices. Looking at the same news out of India, some interesting computer generated images were shown; images of humans replacing vehicles. They, the humans, were seen traversing the roads like vehicles, observing traffic lights and even using their parking lots to “park”. This may seem “far-fetched” to some, but to others, if the current trend is to continue, humans will be forced to be less dependent on vehicles. Recently, a large US car manufacturer placed emphasis on hybrid cars as commuters there are forced to park their gas guzzlers.

The current high fuel prices have impacted the US and other countries hard. One just has to look at the airline industry in the US where thousands were laid off so as to reduce operations cost. Fares have increased and commuters are being asked to pay to check in their luggage! It is reported that by the end of the year, some one hundred destinations in the US will be dropped by airlines operating there since it has become far too costly to keep them. This means that goods and services to those communities “air-marked” will be affected, not forgetting tourism there and other parts of the world as people would not be able to afford travel for pleasure. The picture may look bleak, but it’s the current reality. Space would not permit me to allude to all the details.

I make these points to remind us of how fortunate we are as other countries, especially those in the region, are looking to us for assistance. We may not have a large economy nor some of the facilities like many, but we have land; a land that is touted as a land of opportunities by others. Who would have thought that the same phrase used to describe the US would one day be used to describe Guyana? Take that you naysayers. As other countries grapple to implement measures to help reduce the impact to its people, locally we can plant our backyards and available lands to help reduce our food bill. Local scientists should be encouraged to increase the production of bio-gas for domestic use.

For both of these measures, an adequate supply of cow-dung will be needed, especially in the first instance since the price of fertilizer has sky-rocketed. The Parrot has noticed that even though there are many cows roaming the streets and parapets, the cow dung is missing. The “heaps” are in the backyards. What’s also ironic is that those who used to chase the cows from grazing in front of their yards are now chasing them from their neighbour’s yards to theirs. This is a good sign as the “Grow More” campaign seems to be leading the Obama/Mc Cain one. Squawk! Squawk!

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