What happens when crops fail...

"The summer of 1816 was so wet and cold that it was known as the “Year Without a Summer”, and the failed harvests led to widespread famine and food riots that left about 200,000 people dead throughout Europe." Weather changes have more afflicted the third than the first world. We're less dependent on local agriculture than ever before for our food. But, within the past two centuries, there have been moments when even the 'civilized' West was strapped by changes in the food supply. Today there are vastly greater numbers of people, a far flung supply chain, and less ability to respond locally if the food system is compromised. Will something like this happen? Don't know. But it's clear that it can happen and pretending that it's just not possible isn't a very smart position to take.