Biofuels a step in the wrong direction?
Biofuels have been hailed as a major solution to the challenge posed by high and rising oil prices. However, lately there have been more and more indications that this may not be the case.
Rising food prices (and rising futures prices on food as well) is one such indication. A rise in demand for food, resulting from among other economic growth in some rising economies, such as China, is another.
Now a World Bank report has been leaked (to the Guardian) that indicates that
biofuels have driven up global food prices by 75 percent, according to the Guardian report, accounting for more than half of the 140 percent jump in price since 2002 of the food examined by the study. The paper claims that the report, completed in April, was not made public in order to avoid embarrassing US President George W. Bush.
This is somewhat at odds with an US analysis recently that came to the conclusion that just 3 percent of the food price increases could be attributed to biofuels. The World Bank numbers seem high, but even so I have more confidence in them.
No doubt we will much more on this issue in the coming month. To me, however, it seems pretty clear that using land that could have been used for food to instead grow biofuels must be wrong. Thus, only to the extent that biofuels can be grown elsewhere, do I think they should be permitted. Also, seems to me, we need new types of plants that are much more effective than the ones currently used.
To me, this is a field that requires much more pondering as well as more research. Far too many politicians around the world have jumped on this train much too fast!
See also: Secret report: biofuel caused food crisis and
Poverty: 260m driven into hunger by push for biofuel
The odd piece of information, strange facts, comments on news, ranting and rambling. Kicks and licks. Fun, irony and sarcasm, often, though, with some serious intention.
I live and have lived in Europe and the US. I like both.
I’m nekkid, so no need to undress me. Don't bite me. I much prefer stroking.
July 7th, 2008 at 3:53 am
I’ve seen calculations claiming that production of 1 liter of biofuel actually require the energy equivalent of 1.3-1.4 liters fuel… This is before the ready made product is shipped to the consumer.
The farmland available today is less rich in nutrition than before, meaning an increased demand for fertilizers. For a variety of reasons, plants are more vulnerable to diseases and insect attacks, which means they are also reliant on pesticides. For the record, the main ingredient in both artificial fertilizers and pesticides are fossil fuels. In addition, farm equipment and destilleries use energy as well.
Add in the “food factor” and we’ve got serious problems.
It is pretty clear to me that biodiesel or other biofuels is not the answer.
Our main problem is that we keep growing and consuming like there was unlimited supply of resources. It is getting more and more clear that we live in a finite system. We’re reaching limits every day, but instead of heeding the warnings, we keep ignoring the signs.
We have to consume less, work less and live more. All of us. Now.
http://www.storyofstuff.org