May 1st, 2008
Biofuel bill puts cars before people
Josh Brandon
Canadian parliamentarians moved a step closer to diverting more food to feed our unsustainable car culture. Bill C-33 passed second reading today, with support from the Bloc, Liberals and Conservatives. It allows government to set a 5% minimum ethanol content in Canadian gasoline and 2% minimum on diesel. Meanwhile, it is predicted that the global number of people suffering from hunger is expected to increase 50% over the coming decade to 1.2 billion people over the coming decade as a result of increased food prices.
News Release:
Ethanol minimums passed in Parliament spell more global food woes
1 May 2008 (Ottawa) — A bill passed in the House of Commons today could see more of our already limited food supply fed to cars and SUVs instead of people, says Greenpeace.
Bill C-33 puts science and human need aside, clearing the way for increases in the amount of ethanol in gasoline to five per cent and increases in agrofuel in diesel fuel to two per cent at a time when global food stores are at their lowest since the 1970s.
“Bill C-33 is nothing but a subsidy to big agribusiness at enormous cost to the environment,” said Josh Brandon, a sustainable agriculture campaigner with Greenpeace. “It takes food away from those who can least afford it, in order to feed our addiction to gasoline. It’s hypocritical of the Canadian government to offer $50 million in global food aid while at the same time promoting ethanol as a sustainable fuel source.”
In addition to contributing to declining food supplies, agrofuels are also contributing to global warming. Taking into account fertilizer usage, transportation and the full life cycle analysis of the plants themselves, agrofuels such as corn ethanol produce more greenhouse gasses than traditional gasoline.
But despite soaring food prices, hunger riots and the recent denouncement of agrofuels by UN Special Rapporteur Jean Zeigler as a crime against humanity, Liberal, Bloc and Conservative MPs voted in favour of the legislation, which for the first time in Canadian history sets firm minimums on ethanol levels in gasoline.
Biofuel bill puts cars before people
Categories: Agriculture, Energy and Climate, GMO
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May 4th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Just saw CSPAN a couple of days ago. Some of the following speakers were George Braley - Senior Vice President of Americas Second Harvest, Tom Buis - President of Natl Farmers Union, Joseph Glauber - Ag Dept Chief Economist, Mr Schumer - Joint Economic Committee Chairman.
It was a very interesting discussion of view points regarding our Food Reserve, Food Price Inflation, Weather drought that effected wheat crops in Australia and other countries, gas prices which is causing price increase due to food transportation and the production of ethanol — how the process works and how we need to continue with that production process which will eventually put money back into our economy. They all shared the same view on stressing the importance of passing the Farm Bill Food Aid which will help with those seeking food assistance. Also to rationalize policies over the entire food chain. We need to make sure farmers are farming wheat or other types crops in case of weather situations around the world.
Another interesting speaker regarding the production of ethanol on a different CSPAN show held on 04/29/08, speaker Rep Steve King - R - Iowa. He stated that 13.1 Billion of Bushels of corn were made - out of that about 2.5 billion was exported out and 2. something billion of Bushels made 9 billion Gallons of Ethanol and the other 7 billion was for Domestic Consumption.
Because of the production of Ethanol from Corn this eliminated the 6.5 billion dollars of a farm bill that paid to farmers in 2005. With todays technology, it will take half the energy to produce ethanol than regular fuels. Additionally, with advanced technology, they are working on a no carbon footprint.
There will still be plenty of corn for domestic consumption.
It would be nice if everyone could come together and continue to weigh out the pros and cons through conversations, data and facts. Who is telling the truth and who is not?
We certainly need to Go Green and come up with renewable energies, so who is right and who is wrong in regards to producing corn into ethanol? What does Brazil have to say since they have already built an infastructure on producing ethanol or bio-fuel?
May 5th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
You guys are so out of touch with with the real problem. Its a shame how uneducated you really are. wake up and take real look at things not just one side like your so good at. USE FEAR TO GAIN YOUR SUPPORT. WHAT A BUNCH OF MORONS.
May 6th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
derrick - it isn’t just green peace, but main stream media that is reporting on the negative side of bio fuels: http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=8f176153-b03c-415e-84a6-5cc47bfe0a08
May 7th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Many Canadians and Americans seem to think that driving is a right, not a privilege. After all, we have the right to adore the things we can buy with money, don’t we?
I cycle or bus everywhere with two or three kids in tow, Canadian winter and summer. I love to feel the wind on my face, the rain down my shoes…
Car drivers think I am either nuts or a hero. I think driving to the gym for a workout and to the store for some GMO cereal is nuts! We take way too much for granted. Lets show (not teach) our children love and respect for all that we have and all that the earth is, to appreciate all the things that are for free (the sun, the rain, the trees and lakes…).
Then, perhaps they will not be so attached to their vehicles and be more in tune with life.
Thank you, Marcia
May 11th, 2008 at 10:02 am
I am struck by the stupidity, cowardice and ignorance of our politicians over this whole biofuel/world hunger disaster.
The bully-boys of the Conservative government are barging ahead to mandate ethanol use in our cars.
In so doing, they are showing wanton disregard bordering on the criminal for both the world’s poor and the scientific evidence which is now widely known and available.
In my mind, they have pretty much entrenched themselves as Enemies of the People!
Regards,
Larry Powell
http://www.earthkeeperfarm.blogspot.com
May 24th, 2008 at 12:10 am
All biofuels aren’t equal. Corn is the most ezpensive of the biofuels and the most encrouching on human food supply. But cellulose is fine. And sugar cane, although a food, is one the world can do with much less of. Also, it is a far more productively efficient form of biofuel. You shouldn’t put the whole category in one basket!
May 26th, 2008 at 9:36 am
PENSONS-Y…
Les prix de l’essence grimpent en flèche. Il ne reste que pour 41 ans d’approvisionnement en pétrole. Le climat se réchauffe.
Et si, l’été, tous les Montréalais suffisamment en forme prenaient l’habitude d’aller travailler en vélo? Ça ferait plus d’argent dans nos poches plutôt que dans celles des pétrolières, moins de pollution… Et en bonus, on serait pas mal plus en santé!
Bonne nouvelle : ce sera bientôt de plus en plus facile! Félicitons la Ville de Montréal, qui investit dans les pistes cyclables et deviendra bientôt la première ville en Amérique du Nord à offrir un service de vélos en libre-service!
Pour en savoir plus, encourager l’idée et vous bidonner, visitez le blogue
http://www.avelocitoyens.com
Allez voir, apporter vos idées… Plus on est de fous, mieux on vit!
À vélo citoyens!