Which biofuels are truly environmentally sound?
Politicians in many countries are rethinking the billions of dollars in subsidies that have indiscriminately supported the spread of all of these supposedly “eco- friendly” fuels for use in power vehicles and factories.
The 2003 European Union Biofuels Directive which demands that all member states aim to have 5.75 percent of transportation fueled by biofuel in 2010 is now under review.
“If you make biofuels properly, you will reduce greenhouse emissions… You can end up with a 90 percent reduction compared to fossil fuels — or a 20 percent increase.”
On the surface, the environmental equation that supports biofuels is simple:
Since they are derived from plants,
biofuels absorb carbon while they are grown
and release it when they are burned.In theory that neutralizes their emissions.
But rainforests that are stripped to plant biofuel crops cause an increase in carbon emissions.
The industry [is being] promoted long before there [is] adequate research….
Biofuels should not automatically be classed as ‘renewable energy’.
Story at International Herald Tribune
Pushing bushels. Corn prices rising!
tortilla protest
Tens of thousands of people have marched through Mexico City in a protest against the rising price of tortillas.
The price of the flat corn bread, the main source of calories for many poor Mexicans, recently rose by over 400%.