Biofuel is often touted as the answer to our fuel woes, but does it really contain what we seek? The answer lies in a contextual understanding of the world around us, of the food crisis, and of simple economics.
While biofuel does represent an admirable sense of progress among industrialized countries to try to point at the issues, it also represents the capitalistic desire to turn profit at all costs. Canada, the United States, and other industrialized nations all jumped in head-first to the biofuel production discussion and, as such, have winded up overproducing a product that may, in fact, not be all that useful.
It is true that we are in a global food shortage at the moment and serious change will need to take place before we are able to commit to some sort of energy supply generation, like biofuel. Crop adjustments are needed and individuals will need to demand a more transparent process from corporations and governments in order to learn what is really occurring.
Countries experiencing food shortages and rising costs are quick to blame biofuel, as the use of arable land for biofuel and not for food can be construed as being downright cruel while individuals starve around the world. It is true that the rising demands for biofuel, despite a lack of marketing and selling of biofuel-related products, has crippled food supplies in Latin America and is aggravating the condition elsewhere.
Governments need to step in and strictly monitor land use for both possibilities, say energy experts. But is that a solution that will verify a change in food production or will that simply make the argument all the more political? More to the point, is it possible to pursue energy issues without the use of political might?
I think the only real answer when it comes to biofuel production is to wait until the food shortage situation is under control and then start seeing about allocating crops and arable land to biofuel production. Of course, that’s only my opinion.
Changing the way we drive, in the meantime, is a great way to table issues like biofuel production and gas mileage on better terms of discussion. Driving a car like the Toyota Scion is a great way to start being an agent for change, so stop by your Scion dealer today and see what’s what.
As you’d probably expect, people are looking for ways to avoid paying the high gas prices. In fact, you could probably find a direct correlation between the rising gas prices and the use of ethanol in the last year.