No Silver Bullets for Food vs. Fuel
By now, all our readers have heard of the FOOD vs. FUEL controversy. Does the large-scale production of biofuels from corn and other crops help or hurt people and the environment? Have we created a world-wide food shortage and increased water pollution by trying to decrease our dependence on oil, as well as our carbon dioxide “footprint?”
There are no easy, quick answers to this question–no snappy sound bites. The solutions will only be found in rigorous, peer-reviewed research, private investment in development, and many years of time. Meanwhile, what should we citizens encourage our political representatives to do?
For one thing, don’t panic. And don’t try to overhaul our entire energy economy overnight by piling on crippling fuel taxes and legislating drastic quotas for renewable fuel percentages that nobody realistically expects to be able to meet.
And for another thing–let’s ratchet down the mud-slinging. Both sides have valuable input. Let’s hear respectfully from ALL the parties involved.