Food prices are soaring. Your bill at the grocery store in Canada has gone up and people in many other countries where up to half of incomes are spent on food are even worse off. The reasons are diverse, ranging from hikes in crude oil and labor costs, poor harvests and regulatory policies in various countries (North Queensland Register).
The biofuels industry is a factor, even if its significance is overstated. As corn gets diverted to fuel production, there is less for people to eat. Less supply along with increased demand means higher prices at the grocery store.
But aren't biofuels the eco-friendly panacea that will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and help lower the threat of global warming?
Actually, biofuels are not necessarily all that green. They may certainly play an important role in a sustainable, eco-friendly economy.
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| Photo by ohad* via a Creative Commons license |
But new laws to improve the efficiency of our homes, transportation and industry, along with protection and conservation of existing forests, grasslands and savannas really have the most potential for reinforcing sustainability.
Jonathon Narvey is the Principal Consultant at WRITEIMAGE. He blogs about politics and life in Vancouver at Currents.
Hercules
With all the pine trees destroyed, can't we use them to produce ethanol?
If we all ate more vegetarian meals, we wouldn't use grains to feed the animals that end up on our plates. We would have enough food to feed the entire world many times over.
The oil cartels have had a monopoly on the energy industry for many decades, and building their wealth. With all their wealth and subsequent power, how do we keep the industry honest? What happened to the electric car?...the lag in the production of fuel efficient cars?...ethanol viability?...hydrogen fuel?
There are thousands of hectares of desert in places like africa, asia, north america, and austrailia...with our ability to desalinate sea water, why don't we produce large scale farms in places like northern african's desert--irrigated by desalinated sea water--and produce the farms for ethanol production? It would help build their economy too...and bring Africa some wealth.
..and hopefully protect other valuable wildlife and forests from being destroyed for food, or fuel.
William Tery
Biofuels will help throw our planets poor into a mass starvation never before seen. WE have trillions of barrels of recoverable oil we don't need to turn food into fuel. The environmenatlists ultimately will be responsible for the deaths of hundreds of millions. I guess as long as it's only poor people starving then it's OK. The environmental movement thrives on misinformation and scare tactics.As long as Dave can drive around Canada in a $500,000.00 motorhome asking kids what they would do if Prime Minister to help the environment ...and NO ONE sees the hypocrosy.....we are doomed.
matt narine
hello I am writing you in regards to wanting to change my living conditions in a way that will benefit life and not destroy it. Unfortunately, I have been working in the oil and gas industry in the province of Alberta since I graduated high school in 1996. I have taken the last year off work in hopes to find a job that is more helpful to the environment..but as I have discovered without a university degree my options seem quite limited in the city of Grande Prairie, which happens to be a "oil boom" city. I would love to talk and discuss options with someone who has devoted thier life to such issues.
zocham3
the problem with Al Gore is that he does not care what impact his policies of shutting down industry have on ordinary people. watch a doc Mine Your Own Business (www.mineyourownbusiness.org) and you will realize how environmentalists stop progress and development in the regions that need it most!
lora bruncke
William, you must not be keeping up with this blog. This foundation is also against the exploitation of biofuels to line rich men's pockets and rob us of food.
I personally think it should be used to help the farmers move to totally organic methods.
Read Rachel Carson's silent spring and you will know why Dr. David Suzuki raised his voice against pollution from rampant capitalism which is killing our planet.
Oil and the internal combustion engine suck!
A little bit might have been ok, but now we are killing the wildlife and oceans and soon ourselves with it (and coal).
How long will it take before man, at the top of the tower, collapses it?
The meek (plants and insects) will probably survive.
As for minding my own business - I refuse.
When I disagree I say it!!!
Lora
My latest poem!
Harvesting Humans
Inspired by Lost in the Sand
by Shanna Ahmad and Alan E. Longworth
Harvesting Humans makes many men billions.
They sell mass destruction to kill by the millions.
Why strive to excel at a brute's killing game?
For lust, or for glory, or for gold, or for fame?
The world is afire. Many mothers mourn sons.
While men with the power lust for their guns.
Why to fight must we follow their glorified lead?
When did war become something that we really need?
Where are the heroes who want to save all the skins?
Let's all get together! Make sure the best side wins!
Those that are in charge must be woken up now.
To look and see what's right. We should all take a vow.
To quit all the lies, the corruption and the B.S.!
Help humans in Iraq, Thailand, Darfur and the U.S.
How many have investments in death causing rings?
Do they pray? Is their GOD okay with such things?
Harvesting Humans is surely a madman's way.
So Stop it Right Now and let come what may!
Love Lora Bruncke