Discuss the issue of converting food into fuel
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Converting food into fuel is equivalent to a \"crime against humanity,\" according to Xinhua News Agency. Experts from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned on the 26th that certain practices of converting food into fuel constitute a \"crime against humanity,\" as they exacerbate global food shortages and drive up food prices, making it even more difficult for poor people to afford food. FAO expert Joan Ziegler called on the international community on that day to suspend large-scale production of biofuels for five years, in order to prevent this practice from causing a \"disaster\" for poor people. Ziegler said that current scientific research is making significant progress, and “within the next 5 years it will be possible for humans to use agricultural waste to produce biofuels,” rather than relying on crops such as wheat and corn as is done today. Currently, the countries that advocate for large-scale production of biofuels are **primarily the United States and Brazil. In March of this year, U.S. President Bush and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed an agreement to work together to increase the production of ethanol fuel. Ziegler believes that although the actions taken by the United States and Brazil are driven by legitimate environmental concerns, \"converting tens of millions of tons of wheat, corn, and soybeans into agricultural fuel is a disaster for poor people; therefore, it constitutes a crime against humanity.\" ” This was found on the website of the **Commission for Development and Reform. What are your thoughts?
**Documents have been issued explicitly prohibiting the use of crops such as rapeseed and corn for energy production.
Cassava can be used; it is not considered a grain in our country
This post was last edited by Standing in the East on 2012-4-9 at 16:55. I believe it is quite feasible to use grains as biofuels; as a renewable resource, grains represent the best alternative and supplementary source for rapid development at this time, given the significant shortage of oil resources. Turning tens of millions of tons of wheat, corn, and soybeans into agricultural fuel is absolutely a disaster for poor people; therefore, it constitutes a crime against humanity. ” This view represents the superficial way in which people perceive the issue at this stage; the food used for energy purposes accounts for only a small portion of global production, and even if that portion were not used for such purposes, it would be difficult to alleviate the problems of food shortages and high prices. From the perspective of food production issues, poverty caused by a lack of food **shares several common problems: underdeveloped economy, large population, and outdated technology. The solution for this group of people cannot rely on savings in developed countries (which is difficult to achieve). The development of energy is a driving force for social progress. Only by effectively solving energy problems can we ensure further **development. A crisis caused by an energy shortage would be even more terrifying; there’s no need to give examples. I cannot agree with those who claim to practice this. Mr. Deng said: Development is the top priority. In the coming years, it is likely that such technologies will also need to be promoted in China, so as to avoid falling behind. :P
It makes sense; after all, the population is constantly increasing, and food is essential for survival – everything else is less important. Survival is what truly matters. But this view seems a bit extreme at the moment
This post was last edited by Standing in the East on 2012-4-9 at 16:54. My previous project was a bio-alcohol project in Thailand; when the preliminary design work was in full swing, the client decided to stop the project because **the approval for it had not been granted. It is evident that the use of grain as fuel is facing increasing **restrictions**. After all, competing with others for food isn’t a sustainable solution in the long run! That’s good too; it forces the development of better production processes to meet the demands for fuel!
This post was last edited by wt997 on 2012-4-9 at 16:44. Although China does not encourage the use of grain as a raw material for bioethanol and biodiesel. But the crops such as cassava that are encouraged to be grown are still planted in the land that was previously used for growing food – it’s just the same old situation! It would be great if we could achieve a situation where raw materials did not compete with food for land!
I think it’s possible to balance the relationship between biomass energy raw materials and food. Develop biomass energy plants while ensuring food production and land for crops.
This post was last edited by Standing in the East on 2012-4-16 at 20:24. I believe it is quite feasible to use grains as biofuels; as a renewable resource, grains represent the best alternative source for rapid development at present, given the significant shortage of oil resources.
I think that, at no time, can food be considered as a raw material for biomass energy utilization. I still believe that the development of biomass energy should proceed in such a way that it does not compete with food production for resources, nor does it compete with crops for land”
This post was last edited by Standing in the East on 2012-4-16 22:07. “To not compete with others for food, nor to compete for land in order to grow food” is no easy task. Some officials, in pursuit of political achievements and in an effort to demonstrate progress in developing new energy sources in response to certain calls, claim that wasteland should be used to grow biodiesel and bioethanol; yet there are still frequent cases where what was once fertile land is used for such purposes!
Some have taken advantage of loopholes; more effort is needed.
The topic is too broad, but it’s very interesting. It’s an old issue, and we should take the time to reflect on whether we’re trapped in a mindset of having to choose between food and energy
Yes, it seems we are in a situation where we can’t have both food and energy. I hope that technological progress will enable creative solutions to this problem!