Biofuel
Biofuel can be broadly defined as solid, liquid, or gas fuel derived from recently dead biological material, most commonly plants. This distinguishes it from fossil fuel, which is derived from long dead biological material. -Source: Wikipedia page on biofuel.
There is a lot of concern and controversy right now about biofuels. One issue is that the development of this technology might be contributing to an emerging worldwide food crisis. (Some biofuels originate from food crops and may be displacing agricultural land previously used for human food production.)
Collective Roots very much interested in developing our knowledge and awareness of these issues. We welcome your input, research, and analysis.
"When it comes to biofuels we have a few choices and options – we can do it poorly, with short-run approaches with no potential to scale, poor trajectory, and adverse environmental impact, or we can do it right – with sustainable, long-term solutions that can meet our biofuel needs and our environmental needs." -Vinod Khosla
Read the entire (fascinating and well-researched) articled titled “Where will Biofuels and Biomass Feedstocks Come from?” by Vinod Khosla by clicking here.
Links to Explore
Food Versus Fuel by Vinod Khosla
Food Vs. Fuel, Business Week, February 2007
Cellulosic Ethanol technology may resolve the food versus fuel problem
Renewable Fuels; Resources for Teachers and Students
Video
Hear Vinod Khosla being interviewed by Vinod Khosla:
Biofuel Production Cause of Worldwide Rise in Food Prices
A draft World Bank report reveals that growing crops for biofuels, along with diminished grain supplies, market speculation and export bans, have been responsible for three quarters of the 140 percent rise in food prices over the last six years.
The report’s author, World Bank top agricultural economist Don Mitchell, said the remainder of the increase has been due to a weak U.S. dollar, higher fertilizer costs and soaring energy fees.
The report contradicts earlier estimates of biofuel’s effects on food prices that have ranged between 2 and 3 percent claimed by the Bush administration and up to 30 percent calculated by the U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization.
“Without the increase in biofuels, global wheat and maize stocks would not have declined appreciably and price increases due to other factors would have been moderate,” Mitchell said.
Several government ministers reportedly have told the International Monetary Fund that the food shortages resulting from the increased production of biofuels is causing a “crisis of humanity.” –Source: Steve Newman, Earthweek, A Diary of The Planet
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