The Dark Side of BioFuels - Really?

My mother in law sent this to me. I've been driving a VW Diesel Jetta for over a year now, I love it, and I've been filling it with BioDiesel from the co-op right down the street so this article in particular was pretty relevant to me.

Titled "The Dark Side of Ethanol and BioDiesel Subsidies" it wants you to sign a petition to stop Biodiesel subsidies. But should you? First, in fairness, here is the article

"Americans now understand that climate-destabilizing greenhouse gases are a major threat to our survival. Unfortunately large corporations have convinced Congress to ignore the real roots of the crisis (reckless coal and petroleum consumption) and to advance the false solutions of corn, soy, or other agrofuels. More than a hundred U.S. based and international organizations, including the Organic Consumers Association, are calling for a moratorium on government subsidies for industrial-scale monoculture agrofuels. While billions of dollars in subsidies for corn, soy and palm oil-based agrofuels, like ethanol and biodiesel, certainly result in higher profits for corporate giants such as Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill, and Monsanto, their overall contribution to reducing greenhouse gases is negligible. In addition millions of acres of carbon sequestering tropical rainforest and wetlands in the Amazon and Asia are being destroyed in order to make way for soy and palm oil plantations. Government support for agrofuels in the U.S., basically subsidies for genetically engineered corn and soybeans, are already costing taxpayers billions of dollars.
These misguided funding priorities have preempted essential greenhouse gas reduction policies, such as energy conservation, solar and wind power, and mass transit. While the OCA supports the production of biofuels from recycled waste (such as used vegetable oil, manure or sewage) and biomass sustainably grown and harvested for the benefit of local communities, the current focus on agrofuels is a recipe for disaster. The first step to a clean energy future and a stable climate is a moratorium on agrofuels, as well as new coal plants. "

Now, let's talk about it:

1. Ok, so big business is moving into Biofuels and trying to make a profit at it. That's a good thing. Sounds like the Government incentives are working and if the outcome ultimately reduces our dependence on foreign oil and provides alternative energy isn't that a good thing?

2. Corn, soy and argofuels as "false" solutions. Hmmm. The reason the results are negligible is because the use is not widespread enough yet, there is no way to dispute I have personally reduced my use of fossil fuels by 100% every time I drive my car. Multiple me by millions and think about it.

3. Misplaced priorites. Really? That would assume that dollars not spent subsidizing Biofuels would be spent subsidizing something else. That's a big assumption and there is absolutely nothing to back this up.

4. Interesting enough, this group supports the use of Biofuels - as long as they don't come from the farm. Hmm, so they work, they reduce greenhouse gasses, so isn't the real issue about small farmers being pushed out as big agribusiness gets into the act? I'm not sure, Biofuels have pretty much been a "cottage industry" (how many fuels can you actually make in your backyard) so this seems to more about the politics of farming than about Biofuels.

5. but the last point in their article is the best. "The first step to a clean energy future and a stable climate is a moratorium on agrofuels, as well as new coal plants. " You're kidding me right? The first step to alternative energy is not build alternative, cleaner energy plants? Really, conservation and higher fuel efficiency vehicles solve all problems? Sure, you bet.

I urge you not to get involved in the politics of farming, of course I support the small farmer and would certainly like to see him/her reap the benefits of being involved in the alternative energy fuel movement. Biofuels aren't the only answer, but they ARE part of the answer.

What do YOU think?

welcome

Welcome to Green Human here is a place for you to share your ideas on the things you are doing to help make this world a "greener" place. Maybe you drive a hybrid, maybe you've found a great environmentally friendly paint, maybe you have a question, the goal is to share ideas and ways to reduce our lasting impact on the world while still living a full life. Thanks for stopping by!