I am a big fan of science fiction movies. Usually they have a ‘happily ever after’ ending, with humanity unified for the common good. The everyday reality is darker – as if we are intellectually incapable as a species to use wisely Earths gifts. It seems that we are doomed to be aggressive exploiters of everything on this big rock – and always thirsty for more.

From an environmental point of view, Ukraine is a unique piece of land. Not only rich in minerals, it is a land of agri-food producers. But unfortunately, having ‘bad neighbors’ blocks you from having a good quality of life. The production and exports of all the blessed stuff that this country has was always connected with the adverse political circumstances.

What is the land like in Ukraine? The climate is similar to that of Kansas: Cool summers and cold winters, with average precipitation of 600 millimeters of rain, which is suitable for winter and spring crops. According to the OECD, Ukraine is among the world’s leading exporters of grains and vegetable oils. 60% of the land is arable. Sunflowers, sugar beets, barley, wheat, and soy are blissfully produced in this land that makes every single person in this world happy for it. This piece of land and its people are working hard for our breakfast. We use sunflower oil to fry foods, or to make butter. We use sugar from sugar beets in our coffee, wheat for our bread, cereals and much more in our pastry products.

And without Ukraine’s production, livestock feed would not be so available and cheap, and that will have an impact on your dairy and meat products.

And what about the beer you enjoy at your barbecues? It will definitely not be the same with the price of barley raised.

COVID taught us – among other things – a lesson about availability of products. No country is self-sufficient, producing everything demanded for this mass consumption. Each country has a key to the back doors of the economies of others.

So, if you do not care for your neighbors on this planet, you definitely care about your breakfast (the price or even availability of its food items). Because globalization is lived inside our houses – by each one of us.

* The above is not medical advice but mere suggestions for improving your diet. Before reach herbal use you should consult your doctor, especially those who have health issues, are pregnant or are under the age of 6.

Evropi-Sofia Dalampira holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics and an MSc in Botany-Biology.