Misuse of agricultural land for fuel production
Name(s):
Energy cropping
Nature
Energy cropping - agricultural production for the purpose of manufacturing ethanol for fuel - by traditional food exporters is likely to reduce exportable food surpluses and increase international food prices. By reducing domestic food supplies (thus resulting in upward pressures on domestic food prices), wages would be forced up, real incomes be reduced, particularly among the poor, and social unrest would result.
Claim
In a world where millions of people do not have enough food, the use of limited agricultural land for energy cropping and conversion of food commodities into liquid fuel is irrational.
Counter-claim
High oil prices enhance the attractiveness of energy cropping, and with this new technology comes the chance for non-oil rich countries to become more independent.
Aggravates
Unavailability of farming land [in 1 loop]
Type
(E) Emanations of other problems