How Biofuels Could Starve the Poor

Now, thanks to a combination of high oil prices and even more generous government subsidies, corn-based ethanol has become the rage. There were 110 ethanol refineries in operation in the United States at the end of 2006, according to the Renewable Fuels Association. Many were being expanded, and another 73 were under construction. When these projects are completed, by the end of 2008, the United States' ethanol production capacity will reach an estimated ... Full Story »

Posted by Kaizar Campwala
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Subjects: World, U.S., Business, Sci/Tech
Topics: Poverty, Energy
Member Tags: interrelationship, global poverty, depletion of resources
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Dale Penn
3.6
by Dale Penn - Oct. 1, 2008

This article provides a limited scope on the issue of biofuels - however that may be necessary in order to aid comprehension and reduce the length of the discussion to an article. Deforestation in Brazil isn't addressed at all. Energy ratio discussion is informative and important.

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Linda Raiteri
4.8
by Linda Raiteri - Oct. 1, 2008

In this informative article, the authors lead the reader through the ramifications of our choices regarding moving away from oil dependency into biofuels. It is a model for thinking things through, a process that governments and citizens have neglected of late.

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Mike LaBonte
4.4
by Mike LaBonte - Oct. 1, 2008

Very good article overall. Needs to support it's claim on petroleum supplies. One or more anonymous sources. Tons of info, complete coverage of the subject.

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Michael D. Lowe
4.8
by Michael D. Lowe - Oct. 1, 2008

This a fine article. For those who are trying to understand the complex problems of global climate change this is an outstanding piece that trust it's readers to understand the points being made. The article is not "one sided" it is the factual side of the bio-fuels questions. Folks this is the real deal. The effects on food prices & supply are well documented in other places. And they are not in the future but are happening right now.

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Chris Finnie
4.9
by Chris Finnie - Oct. 1, 2008

Bush like ethanol because his buddies in big oil like it. Big auto likes it for the same reason. Both want it because they don't have to change much of their massive infrastructure to move into the market. But, as this article points out, it doesn't cut greenhouse gasses much, is inefficient to produce, and threatens an already-hungry population. In addition, as climate change accelerates--further threatening the world's food production, it will be even less viable. A well-written expose of another ill-considered short-term fix at the cost of more viable technologies.

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Philippe Habib
2.3
by Philippe Habib - Oct. 1, 2008

This is a very one sided piece on the problems with biofuels. The arguments made are valid as far as they go, but since they are made in isolation of the problems that bio fuels are trying to fix, it is hard to tell if the problems with the solution are worth it. No sources are given, we are to assume all assertions made are correct.

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Kaizar Campwala
4.5
by Kaizar Campwala - Oct. 1, 2008
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Jami Dwyer
5.0
by Jami Dwyer - Oct. 1, 2008

Important disscussion of the pitfalls of relying on biofuels to solve current energy problems. I'd have liked further discussion of why various fuels burn cleaner than others (refining?), as I worry that this article is actually giving biofuel too much credit in that regard.

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