…Big Ethanol is the New Big Evil
1. As arable land gets converted for the production of biofuel crops, food prices have been on the rise. As noted in the Guardian, the cost of rice, maize and wheat have risen by 20%, 50% and 100%, respectively, over the past year. While biofuels can’t be held totally accountable for this, the conversion of food crops to biofuel crops only exacerbates any environmental influence.
2. It’s like the gold rush all over again. Governments are becoming blinded by the rush to biofuels and the apparent financial returns, even if it sacrifices the provision of basic needs. In Swaziland, where there is an acute food shortage, the government has allocated thousands of hectares to produce, and export, biofuels made from cassava – one of its staple crops.
3. There are growing arguments that the production of biofuels actually contributes more to greenhouse gases that the world’s reliance on oil. Proponents of biofuels have focused solely on CO2 emissions, while the contribution of nitrogen fertilizers (296 times as powerful as CO2) has largely been ignored. One Hand Clapping suggests that methane and nitrous oxide are not taking their share of the blame in inducing global warming.
4. As noted here, there are between 1.5 and 2.4 billion hectares of arable land on Earth. To replace the current consumption of transport oil, between 35% and 107% of all potential farmland would need to be dedicated to biofuel production. Imagine the impact on the environment and the world’s population if this were to happen!
5. Coupled with bad weather, an increase in the price of barley and a worldwide hops shortage, stouts, ales and other specialty microbrews are becoming more expensive. Should hops farmers, who have had a tough time profiting from their crops in recent years, convert to biofuel production to cash in on the biofuel boom, good beer is only going to get more expensive. D’oh!
It’s probably time to rethink our energy consumption habits again! However, in response, Big Ethanol has posted its reaction to all of these concerns here. And even Formula 1 racing has jumped on the bandwagon with a new secret blend of fuel designed by Petrobras.
