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 Visionary Tools
Kiffah
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 Secret report: biofuel caused food crisis
#8596635 - 07/05/08 05:56 AM (2 months, 2 days ago) |
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jul/03/biofuels.renewableenergy
Biofuels have forced global food prices up by 75% - far more than previously estimated - according to a confidential World Bank report obtained by the Guardian.
The damning unpublished assessment is based on the most detailed analysis of the crisis so far, carried out by an internationally-respected economist at global financial body.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.
The news comes at a critical point in the world's negotiations on biofuels policy. Leaders of the G8 industrialised countries meet next week in Hokkaido, Japan, where they will discuss the food crisis and come under intense lobbying from campaigners calling for a moratorium on the use of plant-derived fuels.
It will also put pressure on the British government, which is due to release its own report on the impact of biofuels, the Gallagher Report. The Guardian has previously reported that the British study will state that plant fuels have played a "significant" part in pushing up food prices to record levels. Although it was expected last week, the report has still not been released.
"Political leaders seem intent on suppressing and ignoring the strong evidence that biofuels are a major factor in recent food price rises," said Robert Bailey, policy adviser at Oxfam. "It is imperative that we have the full picture. While politicians concentrate on keeping industry lobbies happy, people in poor countries cannot afford enough to eat."
Rising food prices have pushed 100m people worldwide below the poverty line, estimates the World Bank, and have sparked riots from Bangladesh to Egypt. Government ministers here have described higher food and fuel prices as "the first real economic crisis of globalisation".
President Bush has linked higher food prices to higher demand from India and China, but the leaked World Bank study disputes that: "Rapid income growth in developing countries has not led to large increases in global grain consumption and was not a major factor responsible for the large price increases."
Even successive droughts in Australia, calculates the report, have had a marginal impact. Instead, it argues that the EU and US drive for biofuels has had by far the biggest impact on food supply and prices.
Since April, all petrol and diesel in Britain has had to include 2.5% from biofuels. The EU has been considering raising that target to 10% by 2020, but is faced with mounting evidence that that will only push food prices higher.
"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," says the report. The basket of food prices examined in the study rose by 140% between 2002 and this February. The report estimates that higher energy and fertiliser prices accounted for an increase of only 15%, while biofuels have been responsible for a 75% jump over that period.
It argues that production of biofuels has distorted food markets in three main ways. First, it has diverted grain away from food for fuel, with over a third of US corn now used to produce ethanol and about half of vegetable oils in the EU going towards the production of biodiesel. Second, farmers have been encouraged to set land aside for biofuel production. Third, it has sparked financial speculation in grains, driving prices up higher.
Other reviews of the food crisis looked at it over a much longer period, or have not linked these three factors, and so arrived at smaller estimates of the impact from biofuels. But the report author, Don Mitchell, is a senior economist at the Bank and has done a detailed, month-by-month analysis of the surge in food prices, which allows much closer examination of the link between biofuels and food supply.
The report points out biofuels derived from sugarcane, which Brazil specializes in, have not had such a dramatic impact.
Supporters of biofuels argue that they are a greener alternative to relying on oil and other fossil fuels, but even that claim has been disputed by some experts, who argue that it does not apply to US production of ethanol from plants.
"It is clear that some biofuels have huge impacts on food prices," said Dr David King, the government's former chief scientific adviser, last night. "All we are doing by supporting these is subsidising higher food prices, while doing nothing to tackle climate change."
About this article
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This article appeared in the Guardian on Friday July 04 2008 on p1 of the Top stories section. It was last updated at 00:01 on July 04 2008.
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In times of universal deceit, the truth becomes a revolutionary act.
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justin_thyme
tool
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Re: Secret report: biofuel caused food crisis [Re: Visionary Tools]
#8596829 - 07/05/08 09:18 AM (2 months, 1 day ago) |
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yeah i read about this in popular science a month or two ago. it really changed my perspective on biodiesel. the whole process is hurting the economy. big oil companies like BP are paying a premium for farmers crops to make fuel, causing massive inflation for food companies around the states. biodiesel is not going to replace oil, and frankly it's hurting us more than helping.
electricity is the most promising alternative energy source for vehicles right now and scientists should focus their efforts to perfect it.
besides...who needs to worry about a giant electric bill from growing weed when everyone has to charge their cars? 
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 SoY
I am the LizardKing
Registered: 06/01/06
Posts: 723
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Re: Secret report: biofuel caused food crisis [Re: justin_thyme]
#8597021 - 07/05/08 10:53 AM (2 months, 1 day ago) |
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You forget how electricity is generated. Biofuels can work, but not when we use food crops. Imagine the possibilities of HEMP...
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"The choiceless truth of who you are is revealed to be permanently here permeating everything. Not a thing and not separate from anything."
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"My karma ran over my dogma!"
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EntheogenicPeace
Scholar
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Re: Secret report: biofuel caused food crisis [Re: SoY]
#8597212 - 07/05/08 12:08 PM (2 months, 1 day ago) |
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While i obviously support hemp cultivation, it has much better uses than as a biofuel. It is correct, though, that using food crops (or even really any land that can be used to cultivate food or other useful industrial crops) for biofuels is a terrible idea in that it is both inefficient & totally unnecessary. The real potential of biofuels is with those made from algae (the source of present coal, I believe) because it can be grown in saltwater, thus it would not be necessary to divert land (& freshwater) away from food & other valuable crops to make biofuels. I also believe that algae biomass has much more potential energy stored in it for use as fuel than does corn, for example. I believe a company in California has a procedure for turning algae into biofuel that only takes a few days to a week, & that diesel engines can run entirely on it.
It is entirely possible, with a collective commitment on the part of a solid majority of people, that virtually all (into the mid-to-upper ninety percentile) energy can come from ecologically-sustainable & renewable sources instead of burning fossil fuels (which I believe accounts for ~90% of the world's current energy usage), & that it can be done within 50 years; solar, algae-based biofuels, tidal, geothermal, hydrogen & wind being the sources that come to mind (though there may be other I'm not familiar with or that have yet to be discovered). Of those who say that it is not possible... I have to believe that they do not fundamentally understand the science of energy & electricity, or that they are lying for selfish reasons.
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xshadowmage666x
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Senior development sources believe the report, completed in April, has not been published to avoid embarrassing President George Bush.
Is it possible for him to be embarrased more than he probably is?
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"It is the prayer of my innermost being to realize my supreme identity in the liberated play of consciousness, the Vast Expanse. Now is the moment, Here is the place of Liberation. " -alex grey
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justin_thyme
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Re: Secret report: biofuel caused food crisis [Re: xshadowmage666x]
#8597349 - 07/05/08 12:49 PM (2 months, 1 day ago) |
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zorbman
Bush Recession2008
Registered: 06/04/04
Posts: 3,191
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Re: Secret report: biofuel caused food crisis [Re: Visionary Tools]
#8599131 - 07/05/08 11:13 PM (2 months, 1 day ago) |
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BIOFOOLS?
No way, dude!
We need to attack more Middle Eastern countries and destroy their infrastructure so oil prices will go THROUGH THE ROOF!!
Oh...that was the Bush foreign policy.
Sorry.
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"You come to a point in your life when you really don't care what people think about you, you just care what you think about yourself". -Evel Knievel
Edited by zorbman (07/05/08 11:15 PM)
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zappaisgod
horrid asshole
Registered: 02/11/04
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Re: Secret report: biofuel caused food crisis [Re: zorbman]
#8600236 - 07/06/08 09:58 AM (2 months, 22 hours ago) |
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Quote:
zorbman said:
BIOFOOLS?
No way, dude!
We need to attack more Middle Eastern countries and destroy their infrastructure so oil prices will go THROUGH THE ROOF!!
Oh...that was the Bush foreign policy.
Sorry.
We destroyed the Iraqi oil infrastructure? Anyway, since that is the only oil producing country we invaded you might want an update on Iraq's oil production, the increase of which coincides with the price rise.
Quote:
Oil production in Iraq is at its highest level since the US-led invasion of 2003, reaching 2.4 million barrels a day, thanks largely to improved security measures in the north.
The country’s Oil Ministry will shortly invite international oil companies to bid for contracts to help Iraq to boost output at its investment-starved “super-giant” oilfields. Production is expected to pass the prewar level of 2.6 million barrels by the end of the year, and Hussain al-Shahristani, the Iraqi Oil Minister, told The Times that he expected production to reach six million barrels a day within four years.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/iraq/article3285580.ece
Kind of totally destroys your notion that damaged Iraqi infrastructure is related to rising oil prices, doesn't it? Why yes, yes it does. Blows it all to Hell, in fact. But keep spewing your BDS. Rational people find it immensely amusing.
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"For anyone who cares I know zappaisgod personally. He is gay. He is jewish. He is a douche. And he both, has a crush on me:" Some Incredible Retard
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Minstrel
Talkback is Barberpole
Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 1,029
Loc: Free-Body-Diagram
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Re: Secret report: biofuel caused food crisis [Re: zappaisgod]
#8600289 - 07/06/08 10:21 AM (2 months, 21 hours ago) |
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Quote:
zappaisgod said:
Quote:
zorbman said:
BIOFOOLS?
No way, dude!
We need to attack more Middle Eastern countries and destroy their infrastructure so oil prices will go THROUGH THE ROOF!!
Oh...that was the Bush foreign policy.
Sorry.
We destroyed the Iraqi oil infrastructure? Anyway, since that is the only oil producing country we invaded you might want an update on Iraq's oil production, the increase of which coincides with the price rise.
Quote:
Oil production in Iraq is at its highest level since the US-led invasion of 2003, reaching 2.4 million barrels a day, thanks largely to improved security measures in the north.
The country’s Oil Ministry will shortly invite international oil companies to bid for contracts to help Iraq to boost output at its investment-starved “super-giant” oilfields. Production is expected to pass the prewar level of 2.6 million barrels by the end of the year, and Hussain al-Shahristani, the Iraqi Oil Minister, told The Times that he expected production to reach six million barrels a day within four years.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/iraq/article3285580.ece
Kind of totally destroys your notion that damaged Iraqi infrastructure is related to rising oil prices, doesn't it? Why yes, yes it does. Blows it all to Hell, in fact. But keep spewing your BDS. Rational people find it immensely amusing.
Naturally America would protect it's investment, and pump it for all it's worth. Rational people don't really find it amusing. A rational person wonders "why, if more oil is flowing than ever before, are oil prices so high?". I'm sure that heavy security is a portion of it, and the plummeting USdollar, but wasn't this oil to pay for the war, and help you get that much needed fix for Bush's self-described addiction? With more supply available to you, shouldn't the price be reduced?
But I guess that all assumes oil price is determined on a supply-demand basis, which I see no evidence for in this case.
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~Answers are a prison for one's self~
FREE TALK LIVE
I edit all my posts.
Edited by Minstrel (07/06/08 10:23 AM)
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Prisoner#1
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Registered: 01/22/03
Posts: 90,116
Loc: S.F.I.G.E.L.
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Re: Secret report: biofuel caused food crisis [Re: SoY]
#8600861 - 07/06/08 01:46 PM (2 months, 18 hours ago) |
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Quote:
SoY said:
Biofuels can work, but not when we use food crops. Imagine the possibilities of HEMP...
yep, now farmers stop growing grains to grow hemp, now we still
have a shortage of food, prices through the roof, nothing changes
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"you are wrong jeetered"
"themange is awesome and win and big bouncy tits"
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Prisoner#1
Even Dumber ThanAdvertized!
Registered: 01/22/03
Posts: 90,116
Loc: S.F.I.G.E.L.
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Re: Secret report: biofuel caused food crisis [Re: Visionary Tools]
#8600877 - 07/06/08 01:53 PM (2 months, 18 hours ago) |
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Quote:
Visionary Tools said:
Even successive droughts in Australia, calculates the report, have had a marginal impact. Instead, it argues that the EU and US drive for biofuels has had by far the biggest impact on food supply and prices.
what about droughts in the US, last summer I saw no rain from
may to august, this year is looking the same, the thousands of
acres of corn and soy planted are already looking pitiful, but
yeah, it's all BPs fault
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"you are wrong jeetered"
"themange is awesome and win and big bouncy tits"
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TheCow
Registered: 10/28/02
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Re: Secret report: biofuel caused food crisis [Re: Prisoner#1]
#8600994 - 07/06/08 02:39 PM (2 months, 17 hours ago) |
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just rained today nigga
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Visionary Tools
Kiffah
Registered: 06/23/07
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Last seen: 25 days, 13 hours
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Re: Secret report: biofuel caused food crisis [Re: TheCow]
#8601031 - 07/06/08 02:51 PM (2 months, 17 hours ago) |
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There's huge flooding near Chicago, isin't there?
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In times of universal deceit, the truth becomes a revolutionary act.
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Shins
funguy
Registered: 09/15/04
Posts: 216
Last seen: 16 hours, 25 minutes
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Re: Secret report: biofuel caused food crisis [Re: Visionary Tools]
#8601096 - 07/06/08 03:10 PM (2 months, 17 hours ago) |
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yeah someone pointed out to me about how farmers need to use gas to til the soul, plant the seeds, fertalise, harvest etc. and i was like hmm.. seems like not much net energy gained.
i saw a program on TV awhile back about scientists developing either bacteria or algae that they were converting to biodiesel and it was quite interesting. ill see if i can find a link
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WakeboardrB
It ain't easybeing white
Registered: 05/18/03
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Re: Secret report: biofuel caused food crisis [Re: Prisoner#1]
#8601097 - 07/06/08 03:10 PM (2 months, 17 hours ago) |
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Quote:
Prisoner#1 said:
Quote:
Visionary Tools said:
Even successive droughts in Australia, calculates the report, have had a marginal impact. Instead, it argues that the EU and US drive for biofuels has had by far the biggest impact on food supply and prices.
what about droughts in the US, last summer I saw no rain from
may to august, this year is looking the same, the thousands of
acres of corn and soy planted are already looking pitiful, but
yeah, it's all BPs fault
Yeah dude, I drove through Georgia on my way to Florida for Christmas and it was so damn depressing to see how low the water level was on all of the lakes and rivers we crossed over.
I thought I had seen low water levels when I lived on a lake in VA, but to see water 20-25ft below the shore line in fucking December, it made me very sad.
I guess all those fucking idiots that got together for a group prayer to god for rain didn't get their wish from the magical man in the sky. 
I hope you all recovered.
Edited by WakeboardrB (07/06/08 03:11 PM)
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Shins
funguy
Registered: 09/15/04
Posts: 216
Last seen: 16 hours, 25 minutes
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Re: Secret report: biofuel caused food crisis [Re: WakeboardrB]
#8601102 - 07/06/08 03:11 PM (2 months, 17 hours ago) |
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Prisoner#1
Even Dumber ThanAdvertized!
Registered: 01/22/03
Posts: 90,116
Loc: S.F.I.G.E.L.
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Re: Secret report: biofuel caused food crisis [Re: TheCow]
#8601124 - 07/06/08 03:19 PM (2 months, 16 hours ago) |
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Quote:
TheCow said:
just rained today nigga
really, I've seen less than 5 minutes of rain combined since may
including today and I've seem more cereal grains grown in this
region than any other part of the state, cracks in the ground
have gotten to 1/2 inch wide, regardless of the 3 minutes we see
each month, we're in another severe drought
http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html
doesnt do the farmers much good if the rain falls in the city
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"you are wrong jeetered"
"themange is awesome and win and big bouncy tits"
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Prisoner#1
Even Dumber ThanAdvertized!
Registered: 01/22/03
Posts: 90,116
Loc: S.F.I.G.E.L.
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Re: Secret report: biofuel caused food crisis [Re: Visionary Tools]
#8601128 - 07/06/08 03:21 PM (2 months, 16 hours ago) |
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Quote:
Visionary Tools said:
There's huge flooding near Chicago, isin't there?
yes, wiped out wheat and corn and god only knows what else
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"you are wrong jeetered"
"themange is awesome and win and big bouncy tits"
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Shins
funguy
Registered: 09/15/04
Posts: 216
Last seen: 16 hours, 25 minutes
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Re: Secret report: biofuel caused food crisis [Re: Prisoner#1]
#8601134 - 07/06/08 03:23 PM (2 months, 16 hours ago) |
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maybe you need one of these 
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/IG13Ad01.html
(Chinese rain making guns)
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zappaisgod
horrid asshole
Registered: 02/11/04
Posts: 10,973
Last seen: 17 minutes, 26 seconds
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Re: Secret report: biofuel caused food crisis [Re: Minstrel]
#8601161 - 07/06/08 03:32 PM (2 months, 16 hours ago) |
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Quote:
Minstrel said:
Quote:
zappaisgod said:
Quote:
zorbman said:
BIOFOOLS?
No way, dude!
We need to attack more Middle Eastern countries and destroy their infrastructure so oil prices will go THROUGH THE ROOF!!
Oh...that was the Bush foreign policy.
Sorry.
We destroyed the Iraqi oil infrastructure? Anyway, since that is the only oil producing country we invaded you might want an update on Iraq's oil production, the increase of which coincides with the price rise.
Quote:
Oil production in Iraq is at its highest level since the US-led invasion of 2003, reaching 2.4 million barrels a day, thanks largely to improved security measures in the north.
The country’s Oil Ministry will shortly invite international oil companies to bid for contracts to help Iraq to boost output at its investment-starved “super-giant” oilfields. Production is expected to pass the prewar level of 2.6 million barrels by the end of the year, and Hussain al-Shahristani, the Iraqi Oil Minister, told The Times that he expected production to reach six million barrels a day within four years.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/iraq/article3285580.ece
Kind of totally destroys your notion that damaged Iraqi infrastructure is related to rising oil prices, doesn't it? Why yes, yes it does. Blows it all to Hell, in fact. But keep spewing your BDS. Rational people find it immensely amusing.
Naturally America would protect it's investment, and pump it for all it's worth. Rational people don't really find it amusing. A rational person wonders "why, if more oil is flowing than ever before, are oil prices so high?". I'm sure that heavy security is a portion of it, and the plummeting USdollar, but wasn't this oil to pay for the war, and help you get that much needed fix for Bush's self-described addiction? With more supply available to you, shouldn't the price be reduced?
Well, more oil is flowing in Iraq. Which kind of makes zorbman's rant about us destroying oil production there seem rather poorly thought out. Speculators are rightly nervous about the stability of several other much larger sources, i.e. Saudi Arabia, Iran, the nutcase in Venezuela, NIgeria. Then there is greatly increased demand throughout the world. But one thing is eminently clear. It is NOT because the US invaded Iraq and destroyed its oil infrastructure.Quote:
But I guess that all assumes oil price is determined on a supply-demand basis, which I see no evidence for in this case.
Your myopia is well known, as is your inability to distinguish between long term and short term effects. Market forces are long term. The fickleness of crowds is short term. Think tulips.
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"For anyone who cares I know zappaisgod personally. He is gay. He is jewish. He is a douche. And he both, has a crush on me:" Some Incredible Retard
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