No Easy Answer on Issue of Biofuels
Saulo Araujo, Grassroots International, ELP Senior Fellow
The Bio-fuels Issue Forum featured an industry analyst, a family farmer, scholars and social activists
discussing the impacts of the expansion of bio-fuels production in the U.S.
and overseas on the global food system.
Through a straight-forward question, "Food vs. Fuel: Is the production of Bio-fuels from farms
jeopardizing our food security?," the Bio-fuels Conference, organized by the ELP Food Affinity
Group, created a space for dialogue around this controversial issue and strengthened our perspective on
the links between food production, agro-energy and the environment.
There is no easy answer to this question. A cleaner source of energy is necessary to reduce the
growing threat of climate change. However, our need for a more sustainable energy supply cannot
jeopardize our environment and destroy rural livelihoods and food security here in the U.S. and
in the Global South.
The search for a cleaner source of energy has brought us to the idea of non-fossil fuels.
Bio-fuels production is not the only solution and cannot be, as there is not sufficient land
in the U.S. to produce all the fuel we need. Also, according to Matt McHale of SJH and Co.,
the corn ethanol production in the U.S. is not as economically viable as presented in initial
assessments.
George Naylor, National Family Farm Coalition, showed that the current industrial agriculture
model is deeply problematic. The production of bio-fuels will expand this agriculture model in
other countries destroying entire communities and violating the land rights of indigenous
communities.
Corrina Steward, from Grassroots International, showed a series of slides about the devastating
effect of the expansion of soybeans plantations in the Brazilian Amazon. "Once the agribusiness
is implemented, there is no coming back for the rural communities." Corrina offered a definition
for Food Sovereignty.
The right of people to decide their own agriculture and food policy. Food Sovereignty is the
right to protect and regulate domestic agricultural production and trade in order to achieve
sustainable development objectives, to determine the extent to which they want to be self reliant,
and to restrict the dumping of products in their markets. It does not negate trade, rather, it
promotes it in a way that serves the rights of people to safe, healthy and ecologically
sustainable production.
The Boston bio-fuel conference set the tone for upcoming regional and
national events in Philadelphia, Washington DC, Milwaukee and North Carolina.
Thanks to the willingness of members of the ELP community to tackle of one of the most current controversial issues in the U.S.
environmental community.
Event Details:
Food vs. Fuel: Is Biofuel Production from Farms Jeopardizing Our Food Security?
ELP Issue Forum with the ELP Foodies
When:
Saturday, October 13, 2007
8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Where:
Tufts University
Friedman School of Nutrition
Behrakis Auditorium
150 Harrison Avenue
Boston, MA 02111
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Description:
This event featured two morning workshops and an afternoon debate.
The first workshop, Biofuels 101 gave a technical, economic and global overview of what biofuels
are. The second, Biofuel-Food Complex, explored the relationships of fuel and food from
different sector perspectives. Following lunch, panelists engaged in an open debate focused
on the question "Is biofuel production from farms risking our food security?" Audience participants
had the opportunity to join in the discussion about the future of bio-fuels,
as well as ask panelists questions.
Agenda:
8:30am - 9:00am Registration Open (Continental breakfast available)
9:00am - 9:15am Welcome and Forum Opening
9:15am - 10:45am Biofuels 101
Abby Lindsay, Graduate Student, Tufts University's Urban and
Environmental Policy and Planning Program and ELP Fellow - Moderator
Matt McHale, SJH and Company, Inc.
Raya Widenoja, Program Associate for Biofuels, Worldwatch Institute
11:00am - 12:30pm Biofuel-Food Complex
Saulo Araujo, Global Program Assistant, Grassroots International and ELP Senior Fellow
George Naylor, President, National Family Farm Coalition
Carmelo Ruiz, Founder of the Puerto Rico Project on Biosafety and Author of "Balada Transgenica"
Doreen Stabinsky, Professor of Global Environmental Politics and International Studies
at the College of the Atlantic and Greenpeace Campaigner
12:30pm - 1:30pm Social Networking Lunch (Lunch Provided)
1:30pm - 3:30pm Debate: Is Biofuel Production on Farms Jeopardizing Our Food Security?
Melissa Bailey, Tufts University Food, Agriculture and the Environment PhD Candidate and ELP Senior
Fellow
Kevin Bryan, Mediator, Meridian Institute - Moderator
Matt McHale, SJH and Company, Inc.
Carmelo Ruiz, Founder of the Puerto Rico Project on Biosafety and Author of "Balada Transgenica"
Corrina Steward, Resource Rights Specialist, Grassroots International
3:30pm - 3:45pm Final Thoughts and Closing
This Event was Co-Sponsored with Tufts University.
The Environmental Leadership Program inspires visionary, action-oriented and diverse leadership for a just and sustainable future.
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