BioFuels

[RobM]

Now, how do you feel about this? Parts of Africa are growing bio-fuel products instead of food crops because it pays the farmers more. America is turning food farms into bio-fuel farms and not sending as much food-aid to poorest countries because of it.

 

[WestRoadShrimper]

Are these farms situated in countries that have food shortages, and if not would they normally be sending any surpluss to those countries when needed?

If the answer is yes to either of those then IMO it's a bit naughty of the yanks. If not then no probs.

 

[Suomi Shrimper]

Whilst there needs to be a lot more research before the pros and cons can be fully established, biofuels seem to be a bit of a double-edged sword. They are a promising initial development when it comes to finding solutions to the problem of peak oil, but their sustainability when it comes to effective use of farmland and cost of base resources has yet to be determined. As the government's chief environment scientist said today, comprehensive reviews and enquiries should be completed before we get too excited about biofuels in their current state.

 

[TrueBlue]

Now, how do you feel about this? Parts of Africa are growing bio-fuel products instead of food crops because it pays the farmers more. America is turning food farms into bio-fuel farms and not sending as much food-aid to poorest countries because of it.

To be blunt mate I could not give a **** about Africa!!!!

this country has its own problems to sort before thinking about anybody else!! call it selfish but we have to look out for number 1 really.

 

[Pubey]

To be blunt mate I could not give a **** about Africa!!!!

this country has its own problems to sort before thinking about anybody else!! call it selfish but we have to look out for number 1 really.

unfortunately we are an island only in terms of geography, not economy. it's in our interest to care for africa, both morally and as consumers... america, europe (and most worryingly) the rapid development in the east mean that biofuels are seen as the sustainable alternative to limited oil reserves. it seems yet again that africa will be raped for their resources, but i don't see that as necessary. and now is the time that we have to make sure that our future (both our country and our world) is protected... biofuels do seem to provide an answer for long term energy, but we need to properly provide africa with the infrastructure and knowledge for them to be able to make informed choices about their future, not providing them with sales reps and "offers to be too good to be true"

 

[WestRoadShrimper]

unfortunately we are an island only in terms of geography, not economy. it's in our interest to care for africa, both morally and as consumers... america, europe (and most worryingly) the rapid development in the east mean that biofuels are seen as the sustainable alternative to limited oil reserves. it seems yet again that africa will be raped for their resources, but i don't see that as necessary. and now is the time that we have to make sure that our future (both our country and our world) is protected... biofuels do seem to provide an answer for long term energy, but we need to properly provide africa with the infrastructure and knowledge for them to be able to make informed choices about their future, not providing them with sales reps and "offers to be too good to be true"

I'm sure there's a line in there somewhere about European farmers being paid to leave their fields empty so they don't contribute to the food mountain thing.

Pay them to grow crops for biofuel.

 

[Pubey]

I'm sure there's a line in there somewhere about European farmers being paid to leave their fields empty so they don't contribute to the food mountain thing.

Pay them to grow crops for biofuel.

scrap the CAP altogether rather than continue to the rediculous scheme. biofuels could very quickly help add some needed competition to the monopsony in the agricultrual market.

 

[WestRoadShrimper]

scrap the CAP altogether rather than continue to the rediculous scheme. biofuels could very quickly help add some needed competition to the monopsony in the agricultrual market.

I hate it when people use long words I don't understand. I'm supposed to be flipping intelligent as well....!

 

[Pubey]

I hate it when people use long words I don't understand. I'm supposed to be flipping intelligent as well....!

i used it in a generalised term.. it is the flip-side of a monopoly, and means there is one (general) buyer for their products (the food industry as a whole). a textbook example is the NHS for health professionals

monopoly = one seller
monopsony = one consumer

 

[WestRoadShrimper]

i used it in a generalised term.. it is the flip-side of a monopoly, and means there is one (general) buyer for their products (the food industry as a whole). a textbook example is the NHS for health professionals

monopoly = one seller
monopsony = one consumer

I've learnt something! :clap:

And on the basis of that description, I agree completely.

 

[Firestorm]

Bio fuels are false "eco friendly-ness" The Orang-utan's (for example) natural habitat is being destroyed to palm oil and now that is being increased to grow plants for Bio fuel.

Every countries primary aim should be to sustain its own population, once it can produce enough for its own population then it should concern itself about exporting (unless the exports put money in everybodies pockets so they can afford to buy food)
it is also the responsibility of the wealthier nations to support the less well off countries (rather than seeing them as a cut price source of easy money) the wealth should be global not national.

 

[Mad Cyril]

monopoly = one seller
monopsony = one consumer

Does this mean there are no arguments over who wants to be the car, dog, top hat etc?

Strangely enough nobody ever wants to be the iron.