Food versus fuel: competing uses for cropland

Journal Article · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980 · Environment; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00139157.1980.9929767· OSTI ID:5302228

Brown, L

Agriculturally-based alcohol fuel programs in food-exporting countries will become international issues as land is converted from food to fuel crops and the affluent world minority increases its demands and power at the expense of the poor. Brazil is the current leader in fuel crops, followed by the US, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and a number of developing countries. The effect this is having on per capita grain production is reflected in the decline of world cropland and the increase in food prices. The shift to massive energy crops will have social and political ramifications as countries weigh the environmental and economic attractions of alcohol fuels against the pressures they place on food production. The steps that could minimize the potentially adverse effects of fuel crops include careful international planning to warn food-importing countries, arrest the erosion of topsoil, and a food-pricing monitoring system. 30 references, 2 tables.

• OSTI ID: 5302228
• Journal Information: Environment; (United States), Journal Name: Environment; (United States) Vol. 22:4; ISSN ENVTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
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29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
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530100 -- Environmental-Social Aspects of Energy Technologies-- Social & Economic Studies-- (-1989)
AGRICULTURE
ALCOHOL FUELS
BIOMASS
COMPETITION
ECONOMIC IMPACT
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
ENERGY SOURCES
FOOD
FUELS
GLOBAL ASPECTS
INDUSTRY
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LAND USE
POLITICAL ASPECTS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SOCIAL IMPACT
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
SYNTHETIC FUELS