Bio fuels are clearly a good option in today's world of Global warming and diminishing natural resources. It has also come out that the price of pasta is rapidly rising in Italy. This not only affects part of the peoples staple diet but makes it even more difficult for the poor there as Pasta is the best, cheapest and most available food for them.
So what?
Well the reason that pasta is going up in price is that one of the main ingredients in it is also the basis of a lot of bio fuel. this puts it in demand and pushes up the price thereby negatively influencing the poor.
It seems that its always the poor that are first to be negatively affected and the last to benefit. I don't doubt that Bio fuels etc are needed and that we need to deal with the Global warming situation and the destruction of the environment.....but lets not forget the poor in the process and make sure what we do is good for for all....not just maintaining the lifestyles of the middle class.
10:19 pm
It's such a complex problem! try to fix one problem and create another. Biofuel sounds good but we're still a long way from it being efficient. Nation Geographic have an article about it this month... seems the fossil fuels required to process the biofuel may make it less efficient and clean than simply using diesel.
The food issue you mention looks like it could even happen in the USA where it seems large numbers of farmers are turning their crops to biofuel grains because it makes good financial returns... how long before the repercussions hit the dinner table?