A secret World Bank report obtained by The Guardian concludes that biofuel production is responsible for a 75% increase in global food prices.
"The damning unpublished assessment is based on the most detailed analysis of the crisis so far, carried out by an internationally-respected economist at global financial body.
The figure emphatically contradicts the US government's claims that plant-derived fuels contribute less than 3% to food-price rises. It will add to pressure on governments in Washington and across Europe, which have turned to plant-derived fuels to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and reduce their dependence on imported oil.
Senior development sources believe the report, completed in April, has not been published to avoid embarrassing President George Bush.
"It would put the World Bank in a political hot-spot with the White House," said one yesterday."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jul/03/biofuels.renewableenergy
2 comments:
Whooee! In discussing bill C-33, the gal I adore, Earth Mother Lizzie May, had these words:
“Already, support for biofuels, at $2.2 billion, is the most expensive environment program in the 2008 budget. With increased biofuel subsidization linked to rising food prices and world hunger, the Green Party believes this legislation will perpetuate the problem. It is critical that any legislation distinguish between food crop-based biofuels and other types, like cellulosic ethanol, fuel made from farm remnants and crops not grown directly for food.”
“It is clear that corn-based ethanol is contributing to the world food crisis. We cannot allow people to go hungry for the sake of filling gas tanks. Farmers must be paid a fair price to produce food crops for eating, not for driving.”
Elizabeth May, May 22, 2008
JB
It is unfortunate that biofuel has been taken over by the corn lobby south of the border. The corn lobby is incredibly strong and has warped the entire global food industry (e.g. use of high fructose corn syrup in almost all processed food) and now is having a negative impact on the energy sector.
Biofuel does not have to be made with food crops and doesn't have to replace food crops on prime farm land. Not all biofuel is created equal and corn based ethanol is not nearly as good at reducing ghg emissions as other cellulosic-based biofuel.
The NDP (and Bloc) voted against Bill C33 because the bill did not take into account the growing concerns raised by many environmental and food security experts. The Liberals and Conservatives voted down NDP amendments that would have addressed the local and global negative impacts of biofuel production. Unfortunately, thanks to Liberal support, Bill C33 passed.
Denise Savoie (NDP MP Victoria) raised many of the concerns regarding Bill C33 - http://denisesavoie.ndp.ca/page/649.
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