Food shortages and Biofuels
An interesting article at the
New York Sun about the current food shortages.
Food Crisis Starts Eclipsing Climate Change Worries
Gore Ducks, as a Backlash Builds Against Biofuels
The campaign against climate change could be set back by the global food crisis, as foreign populations turn against measures to use foodstuffs as substitutes for fossil fuels.
With prices for rice, wheat, and corn soaring, food-related unrest has broken out in places such as Haiti, Indonesia, and Afghanistan. Several countries have blocked the export of grain. There is even talk that governments could fall if they cannot bring food costs down.
One factor being blamed for the price hikes is the use of government subsidies to promote the use of corn for ethanol production. An estimated 30% of America�s corn crop now goes to fuel, not food.
It is hitting us locally as well. A Mexican restaurant near our house has a sign up that rice may not be available next week.
One of our
food wholesalers was out of rice last Friday. Jen was in picking up our order for the store and overheard the owner of a Chinese restaurant asking that two bags of rice be set aside for them next week.
Some Costcos and Sams Clubs are limiting the number of bags that people can buy at a time.
Hey thanks Archer Daniels Midland! See
here and
here for more.
Hat tip to
Maggie's Farm for the link to the New York Sun article.
Posted by DaveH at April 26, 2008 6:44 PM