Monday July 07, 2008 at 10:29
“Biofuels have forced global food prices up by 75% - far more than previously estimated - according to a confidential World Bank report obtained by the Guardian. The damning unpublished assessment is based on the most detailed analysis of the crisis so far, carried out by an internationally-respected economist at global financial body. The figure emphatically contradicts the US government’s claims that plant-derived fuels contribute less than 3% to food-price rises.”
While I’m totally convinced that the report was suppressed, I’m actually a little skeptical that the number is that high. What about the rising cost of fertilizer? Tripling the cost of N-based fertilizer has got to account for some part of that, right?
That said, biofuels are a tiny percentage of the liquid fuels market and if they are causing major ripples in the food system, they clearly aren’t the transportation energy solution. And I’m not holding my breath on algae just yet. Or jatropha. Or switchgrass.
Secret report: biofuel caused food crisis | Environment | The Guardian
