Biofuel Production
August 9th, 2012
An op-ed in the Chicago Tribune by Marie Brill, senior policy analyst, ActionAid USA, states: “It has taken a threatening Midwest drought to call attention to the Renewable Fuel Standard, a government policy that laid the groundwork for today’s absurdly high corn prices and growing food costs, and continues to threaten the environment. … Increasing biofuel production is also wreaking havoc on the environment. To meet RFS mandates, an additional 30 to 60 million acres of land will be needed to grow biofuel feed stocks. Forests, grasslands and precious wildlife habitats across the country could be compromised at the expense of a policy intended to protect the environment. What’s more, researchers at Princeton, Georgetown and Iowa State expect land-use change spurred by ethanol demand to double greenhouse gas emissions in 30 years. By mandating biofuel production and use, the government is supporting a fuel that is worsening worldwide hunger issues and damaging the environment.”