FOOD CRISIS: Global backlash building against ethanol fuels

[Naturalized-Texan]

FOOD CRISIS: Global backlash building against ethanol fuels (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/15/business/worldbusiness/15food.html?ei=5065&en=9e715f242c497f48&ex=1208923200&partner=MYWAY&pagewanted=print)

The idea of turning farms into fuel plants seemed, for a time, like one of the answers to high global oil prices and supply worries. That strategy seemed to reach a high point last year when Congress mandated a fivefold increase in the use of biofuels.

But now a reaction is building against policies in the United States and Europe to promote ethanol and similar fuels, with political leaders from poor countries contending that these fuels are driving up food prices and starving poor people. Biofuels are fast becoming a new flash point in global diplomacy, putting pressure on Western politicians to reconsider their policies, even as they argue that biofuels are only one factor in the seemingly inexorable rise in food prices.

In some countries, the higher prices are leading to riots, political instability and growing worries about feeding the poorest people. Food riots contributed to the dismissal of Haiti’s prime minister last week, and leaders in some other countries are nervously trying to calm anxious consumers.

At a weekend conference in Washington, finance ministers and central bankers of seven leading industrial nations called for urgent action to deal with the price spikes, and several of them demanded a reconsideration of biofuel policies adopted recently in the West.

[roguemerc]

Ethanol was always a corny idea to begin with.

[DesertFox]

Yeah. They never could figger out what to do with the cob.

[DoctorDoom]

The cob is to be used as an application device for Sheryl Crow's one square of TP.

FOOD CRISIS: Global backlash building against ethanol fuelsWelcome to the inviolable Law of Unintended Consequences.

[The_Elucidator]

Liberalism always produces the exact opposite of its stated intent!!

[DesertFox]

:yeahthat:

[cerberus]

This is what happens why you choose to drive your food instead of eating it!
Of course the rapid rise in the price of other staples such as grain and rice aren't helping either.

[DoctorDoom]

This is what happens why you choose to drive your food instead of eating it!Did YOU choose it? I sure as hell didn't. In fact, no consumer did. It was required by the fedgov, and that's a guarantee of disaster. Case in point: mandatory CFL bulbs.

Of course the rapid rise in the price of other staples such as grain and rice aren't helping either.When grain and rice fields are retasked to grow corn, is it amazing that grain prices go up?

[PaulRevere]

Unintended consequences
Totally predictable,
but unintended
So, it's okay

[Lazarus]

...When grain and rice fields are retasked to grow corn, is it amazing that grain prices go up?EXactly... Doc gets an A+ in economics today...

I think this food shortage, from an energy point of view, is a wunnerful thing... Not only does it tear down this house of cards of the ethanol proponents, its driving the debate closer and closer to nuclear as an accepted energy source...

And if corn is taken off the table, circumstance may force the government to get their heads out of their asses with respect to ANWR and Gulf drilling...

To those people who are pushing for Ethanol, including all those lying, disingenuous politicians who represent big Farm States who are driven by the lure of turning their states into America's new oil fields, I say this:

Make your Ethanol... Make it purely under free market conditions with NO government intervention or government mandated usage placed on the consumer... Make your ethanol and put it in the market for sale... And watch to see what free choices the consumer makes... If your product is in fact the best balance of cost vs energy efficiency, the consumer will demand ethanol over petroleum based fuels...

Of course they will never take that challenge because they know ethanol cannot compete with gasoline for efficiency or production cost...

Our energy problem is very simply rectified in 2 steps... 1) Open up oil exploration in Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico, and anywhere else in North America where oil is susupected of existing... And 2) Lift the heavy hand of the EPA off the backs of oil companies so that refinery capacity can be doubled, tripled, quadrupled - to whatever level the free market will efficiently bear...

Step No. 1 will flood the crude oil market with higher supplies which always bring prices down... Step No. 2 will adequately supply the currently strained demand for gasoline that has gone up exponentially since the last refinery was built decades ago...

In short, the Federal Government's energy policy should be to get out of the energy business...

[buzzthepug!]

Whole Foods is loving this. Food prices go up and the parking lot at Whole Foods is still full.

This goes to show that libs really hate poor people.

[Lazarus]

Hey if this continues there will come a point when people will start clawing for land to raise their own crops... People still have to eat...

Which raises the point that I have 27 acres in God's country, and I will be selling 1 acre lots to my conservative friends who can demonstrate a proficiency with firearms, are willing to form a defensive compound, and contribute the the farming effort... Space is limited so reserve your plot early...

Call BR-549... :biggrin:

[MrSanity]

I understand that we're pretty weak when it comes to energy independence, but burning food is not going to help.

This story about corn ethanol damaging automobiles (http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/02/19/1045638364665.html)isn't much encouragement, either.

Ethanol damage to engines confirmed</HEADLINE>
<DATE>February 20 2003</DATE>


The Federal Government will push for mandatory labelling of petrol mixed with ethanol after studies released yesterday found the additive could damage vital engine parts.

The studies, on an outboard motor and a garden trimmer, found 10 per cent ethanol content was relatively safe, but 20 per cent caused major problems.

Federal Environment Minister David Kemp said there was still no proof that the additive - derived from grain crops or sugar cane - caused damage to car engines. But he hoped the states would force fuel outlets to carry ethanol labelling within two months.

They've set fire to our food, and our automobiles as well.

[Rhino]

Whole Foods is loving this. Food prices go up and the parking lot at Whole Foods is still full.You don't really think that Whole Foods is pocketing that price increase, do you?

[Rhino]

This story about corn ethanol damaging automobiles (http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/02/19/1045638364665.html)isn't much encouragement, either.You should see what it does to airplane engines!

[The_Elucidator]

Hey if this continues there will come a point when people will start clawing for land to raise their own crops... People still have to eat...

Which raises the point that I have 27 acres in God's country, and I will be selling 1 acre lots to my conservative friends who can demonstrate a proficiency with firearms, are willing to form a defensive compound, and contribute the the farming effort... Space is limited so reserve your plot early...

Call BR-549... :biggrin:

It's still busy! Will you tell Doc that he can only have 1 acre!! :biggrin:

[hdmundt]

I think this food shortage, from an energy point of view, is a wunnerful thing... Not only does it tear down this house of cards of the ethanol proponents, its driving the debate closer and closer to nuclear as an accepted energy source...

And if corn is taken off the table, circumstance may force the government to get their heads out of their asses with respect to ANWR and Gulf drilling...

To those people who are pushing for Ethanol, including all those lying, disingenuous politicians who represent big Farm States who are driven by the lure of turning their states into America's new oil fields, I say this:

Make your Ethanol... Make it purely under free market conditions with NO government intervention or government mandated usage placed on the consumer... Make your ethanol and put it in the market for sale... And watch to see what free choices the consumer makes... If your product is in fact the best balance of cost vs energy efficiency, the consumer will demand ethanol over petroleum based fuels...



:claps:
(although.... the part about the gov't taking its head out is a bit o' wishful thinking). BTW, I'll probably be taking second job soon. Set aside an acre for me won't you, brother?

[DoctorDoom]

It's still busy! Will you tell Doc that he can only have 1 acre!!My Doombots will be arriving shortly to discuss that issue. :evilgrin:

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/DocDoom777/doombot.jpg" />

[Riverboat]

I go with Norm Rule: If it doesn't raise the price of beer, what do I care?

The price of beer is going up.

I CARE! I CARE!

[Patriot Heart]

Which raises the point that I have 27 acres in God's country, and I will be selling 1 acre lots to my conservative friends who can demonstrate a proficiency with firearms, are willing to form a defensive compound, and contribute the the farming effort... Space is limited so reserve your plot early...

And I will offer each of you a modestly priced pair of goats to go along with your new acre of land! MAAAAA!!!!!!!

[Neil Peart]

And I will offer each of you a modestly priced pair of goats to go along with your new acre of land! MAAAAA!!!!!!!If you also offer 72 virgins, it's a deal. Allahu Ackbar!

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Hey if this continues there will come a point when people will start clawing for land to raise their own crops... People still have to eat...

Which raises the point that I have 27 acres in God's country, and I will be selling 1 acre lots to my conservative friends who can demonstrate a proficiency with firearms, are willing to form a defensive compound, and contribute the the farming effort... Space is limited so reserve your plot early...

Call BR-549... :biggrin:

:wave: Count me 'n' Bubba in, brudder! You know my man can farm, I can sew and cook, my daughter is on the girls weightlifting team so she can do the heavy lifting, my son is a tremendous welder, I think we have quite a bit to contribute, :biggrin:

[Maggie_T]

FOOD CRISIS

So? When push comes to shove, we'll still have each other to feast upon. Isn't that what Rocket Scientist and Global Warming Specialist Ted Turner said?

You're all a bunch of alarmists, that's what. http://foolstown.com/sm/hmm.gif

[Naturalized-Texan]

http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IMAGES/cartoons/toon041808.gif

[Trance]

So when do we break out the Soyent Green?