Why is everybody hatin' on biofuels?
As European and U.S. policymakers push for an increased use of biofuels, many naysayers have recently come forward to express their opposition to the idea.Why? Several reasons: The European Environmental Agency's Scientific Committee is calling for further research of biofuels, saying that they still produce plenty of emissions, and meeting new requirements for biofuels would mean having to import large amounts of them, leading to even more emissions. And leaders of foreign countries are insistent that biofuels are driving up food prices and starving poor citizens.
Many are wary of sharp upturns in biofuel use, driven by Europe's Biofuels Directive, which called for replacing 2% of the vehicle fuel supply with biofuels by 2005, and nearly 6% by 2010. Even though the 2005 goal was not reached, skeptics say that it has still contributed to a rise in food prices.
But while biofuels are indeed a factor in higher food costs, there are certainly other components, as mentioned in a recent New York Times article. Certainly, farmers are having trouble keeping up with biofuel demand, and some must sacrifice certain crops so they can grow enough for fuel.
It is obvious that we need to find a good balance as further alternative energy sources are explored. But in the meantime, let's all stop pointing the finger at one source.
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