Beset by so many agonizing problems, the Earth is screaming for help. Amid increasingly disturbing signs of the planet's woes, leaders from the Group of Eight countries will gather in the Lake Toyako resort in Hokkaido next week for their annual summit.

As crude oil prices continue to rise, much of the talk among international pundits is about "the third great oil shock". Grain prices are also soaring, causing a "food shock" across the planet.

Until recently, it was widely expected that global warming would be the biggest and almost sole focus of the Lake Toyako summit. As the twin travails of soaring oil and food prices are worsening by the day, however, the discussions at the gathering are likely to be less focused on climate change.