U.N. warns of higher
food prices for poor
as result of biofuels

By Gretchen Randall

A new U.N. report notes that bioenergy industries may be able to help provide energy to millions of people who currently lack it, but warns that "rapid growth in first-generation liquid biofuels production will raise agricultural commodity prices and could have negative economic and social effects, particularly on the poor who spend a large share of their income on food." It also says that rapid growth in biofuel production could result in tropical forests being cut down to grow corn or sugar cane, or sugar beets for biofuel.

The study goes on to say that use of biofuels may reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but if forests are cut down to grow new crops, emissions "can be even higher than those from fossil fuels." Other worries expressed in the report were the strain on water and land to grow the crops, the heavy use of fertilizer, soil erosion, and nutrient loss; especially if the same crop is raised every year on the same land.

Comments:

1. While biofuels and biomass should be a part of our energy usage, biofuels are not the panacea that many make them out to be. We simply do not have enough available arable land to grow ample corn to make a noticeable dent in our current petroleum use.
2. U.N.-Energy chairman Mats Karlsson said at a news conference:

   "What would be more interesting than to reflect on a source of energy that takes simply sunshine and water, and transforms it into power through photosynthesis? Well, when you reflect on it you find that there are many challenges." (Associated Press)

3. As Marie Antoinette said, "Let them eat ethanol". . . or something like that.

Background and links:

This paper, produced by a group of U.N. bodies that "contribute to energy solutions" and sponsored by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, says that "the gradual move away from oil has begun. Over the next 15 to 20 years we may see biofuels providing a full 25 percent of the world's energy needs." The full report is available at: http://esa.un.org/un-energy/ - click on "Sustainable Bioenergy: A Framework for Decision Makers" on the right hand side.

Gretchen Randall may be contacted at:
Winningreen LLC
3712 N. Broadway - PMB 279
Chicago, IL 60613
Phone: 773-857-5086

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