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In my view, this is a very tricky question. If we oppose bio-fuels, assuming it will do any good to do so as it seems the pattern has been set, at least for the immediate future, are we not then encouraging continued use of fossil fuels? Which of these two kinds of fuel, in reality, is more damaging, not just to the environment, but also to the world population’s health? I think the lesser of two evils is bound to be bio-fuels.
Unfortunately, Man, in forever his greedy way, goes about things trying to acquire as much money as possible. The growing of crops for bio-fuel is not being tackled correctly as some checks need to be made by well-intentioned governments to balance the human ‘food’ need and the ‘fuel’ need. Regrettably, it needs concerted effort, but as usual it is a free for all in each country, with huge swathes of land being cleared to grow crops, rather than trying to use what land there is already more correctly and conscientiously. Strangely, it is a mirror reflection of Malta’s building mania, with many ODZ areas wanting to be built upon when there are more than ample empty spaces in existing built-up areas for all the building requirements for many years to come.
To oppose the production of bio-fuels simply leaves us more dependent on the oil industry and the oil producing countries, one of which has openly stated that oil at $120 a barrel is not enough, and it needs to go higher. It will too, as it’s a finite resource and in some 10 years from now we shall probably already be seeing some world shortages of fuel due to near-exhaustion of this particular commodity. Bio-fuels and certainly other forms of natural fuels should be sought with determination and speed.
My suggestion with regard to bio-fuel crops is to encourage more of them, while encouraging more and more people to eat less and less meat; for the rearing of cattle and other animals/birds uses up an enormous amount of grain and other food sources perfectly edible by humans. I don’t know statistically how much grain is needed to rear an animal from start to sad and cruel finish, but I know for sure you can feed a very large number of people on that amount of grain; whereas how many humans can you feed on one fattened then slaughtered animal? This is not just pure invention, it is a real and true fact.
Anyone who opposes growing crops specifically to produce bio-fuels could also question his or her own participation in helping to use agricultural produce more effectively. Turning towards a vegan/vegetarian diet certainly helps in this aim.
Alexander Cortis

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