Link to lots of interesting articles, from Jason Bradford...
US corn exports to fall as ethanol use rise
Reuters, Jan 27, 2007
Most analysts do not foresee such a drastic shift. But calls by President George W. Bush to use 35 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2017 have many pondering how the country will achieve such a goal. ..
US ethanol production was about 5 billion gallons in 2006. Producing 35 billion gallons of ethanol solely from corn would consume the entire US corn crop at the level currently produced each year about 11 billion bushels. ..
=================
Increase in biofuels as well as lower crop yields are already leading to higher grain prices. Social ramifications include:
Thousands march over tortilla crisis
Melbourne’s Herald Sun, Feb. 1, 2007
TENS of thousands of demonstrators have marched through Mexico's capital to protest a surge in tortilla prices that has put President Felipe Calderon under intense pressure.
Soaring US demand for ethanol has sent corn prices to their highest level in a decade, pulling up prices of Mexico's national food staple.
====================
While grains for fuel is competing with grains for food, at least some farmers are considering the impact of peak oil on food production:
Agriculture Meets Peak Oil: Soil Association Conference
Chris Vernon, The Oil Drum, Feb. 1, 2007
The Soil Association is a 60 year old UK organisation responsible for setting standards in organic farming. They describe themselves as "UK's leading environmental charity promoting sustainable, organic farming and championing human health." Their logo is the UK's most recognisable trademark for organic produce. It is found on more than 70% of all UK organic produce.
==================
This comes at a time when world grain reserves are the lowest in decades:
Exploding U.S. Grain Demand for Automotive Fuel Threatens World Food Security and Political Stability
Lester R. Brown, Earth Policy Institute, Nov. 3, 2006
Now that the year’s grain harvest is safely in the bin, it is time to take stock and look ahead. This year’s harvest of 1,967 million tons is falling short of the estimated consumption of 2,040 million tons by some 73 million tons. This shortfall of nearly 4 percent is one of the largest on record.
=============
Part of the reason for lower grain production is bad weather, which is being blamed on climate change in many parts of the world, such as Australia, a major exporter of wheat:
Drought drag on Australian growth
BBC News, Jan. 20, 2007
The Australian government has reduced its economic growth forecast after the worst drought in a century caused a 20% drop in farm output.
================
Agricultural scientists are getting together to figure out ways around these problems:
Search for crops that can survive global warming
David Adam, The Guardian, Dec. 4, 2006
An unprecedented effort to protect the world's food supplies from the ravages of climate change will be launched today by an international consortium of scientists. The move marks a growing recognition that serious changes in weather patterns are inevitable over the coming decades, and that society must begin to adapt.
================
Even though Democrats are grabbing the headlines with their takeover of the U.S. Congress, and they certainly are talking about climate change, there appears to be only one elected official in the United States telling the truth about our energy situation, Republican Rep. Roscoe Bartlett:
Energy resources and our future
by Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, US Congress
Good energy education. He has been trying to bring the message to Congress. Very informative talks, but to a largely empty chamber.
--
What do you expect, Jason? The guy is a physiologist. Of course he gets it.
energybulletin.net |
