Food or Fuel, the Ethanol debate
A common objection to biomass energy production is that it could divert agricultural production away from food crops in a hungry world — even leading to mass starvation in the poor countries.
True or not?
Not true: at best it’s an oversimplification of a complex issue. It just doesn’t work that way, and neither does hunger.
“A major criticism often levelled against biomass, particularly against large-scale fuel production, is that it could divert agricultural production away from food crops, especially in developing countries.
The basic argument is that energy-crop programmes compete with food crops in a number of ways (agricultural, rural investment, infrastructure, water, fertilizers, skilled labour etc.) and thus cause food shortages and price increases.”
Professionally, I'm an IT Engineer (Executive Level) and Electronics Tech. Philosophically, I'm a Green Conservative, and probably would have been a hippie in the 60's if I had been old enough. I live off grid, with Solar (PV), Wind, and veggie oil fueled diesel generator power, and have been teaching and living sustainable technology for over 10 years.
