As with most economic woes around the world today, the fuel crisis has affected those who are most vulnerable.  It makes sense that individuals with the most income and savings are able to afford more than individuals without those assets.  That is not to say that the well off do not experience any issues due to economic problems, but they are in a much better position to absorb the losses than the average person making just above minimum wage.

Bill Gates understands how these things work, and he understands the concept of helping those who need it most.  Aside from being a gabillionaire, he is a philanthropist and a humanitarian who is using his money for good.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced today that they are providing $17.6 million in grants to help the hungriest people around the world, as well as nursing mothers and small farmers who have been hurt by the fuel crisis.  Many of the individuals who will be helped are people who have lost their jobs due to the fuel crisis, and others simply cannot afford the skyrocketing prices of food.

According to the United Nations over 950 million people worldwide are at risk of hunger and malnutrition.  This is especially true of young children and nursing mothers.

In addition, costs of fertilizer and fuel have hampered small farmers’ efforts to grow food.  Some of these farmers are losing their farms, others cannot afford to grow and sell food at market prices because of the high costs involved in growing and developing it.  The grants will help supply everything from seeds to soil to farm management and market access, helping the farmers to have a more even playing field in the world market and to be able to sustain their farms.

Until the fuel crisis developed to this point, many around the world have not truly paid attention to the side effects of not having affordable fuel or enough fuel.  It is important that we all pay attention to this issue, as it effects everyone from the largest farmer to the smallest consumer.

In the United States, the average fuel price is up quite a bit over $4.00.  It has gotten bad and doesn’t seem to be getting better, in fact, with some of the political issues driving the fuel crisis, there seems to be no end in sight, and the current administration which is about to end in a few months is turning a blind eye on the whole issue.

As they say, things are tough all over.  To put things into perspective, fuel prices are even worse in other countries such as Britain.  The cost of fuel per liter – which is much less than a gallon – is approximately $6 to $7.  This is quite a lot to take, in fact, things are so bad that Britain has had to cut bus services in many areas.

Looking at the effects of the fuel crisis, it’s a trickle-down situation.  First the cost of a barrel of oil goes up beyond reason and the prices trickle down to consumers.  Then the price of fuel for all types of private, public and commercial transportation goes up at the pump, making things hard for consumers.  This brings the price of food and other necessities up, so people are paying more for both food and fuel.  Add to that the latest crunch in Britain – downsizing or completely eliminating numerous bus routes because the cost of fuel is too high to support the routes.

This will effectively leave thousands of workers in a situation that makes it difficult, if not impossible, for them to get to and from their workplace, simply adding to the economic woes in that country.

To add insult to injury, the bus lines will have to eliminate employees, as well.  Not only will this affect Britain, but their economy affects other economies and so does the economy of the U.S.  It’s similar to that old commercial that said “you tell two friends and they’ll tell two friends…”  Exponentially, the T.V. screen fills up with little squares containing people’s faces until the screen is full.

That is what is happening with the fuel crisis.  It hits one industry, which affects another industry.  Then it hits more and more consumers, raises their essential expenses and often creates a situation where they lose their jobs.  The global supply of fuel and global economy is being held hostage by those who control the fuel and the fuel prices.  It is not possible to say who these individuals or companies are, and we all have our own ideas.  One main idea that we share across borders and around the globe is that if the fuel crisis isn’t managed better very soon, the world economy may take decades to turn around and many day to day people and their families will be tragically impacted.