We lie in the beds we make.
For those of you that don’t know. My dream or vision for this blog is to really establish the connection between our actions, and their consequences abroad. I strongly believe that modern day problems are “exported” to poorer nations, and that it is my hope that through my photography….that I will humbly be able to highlight some of these social ills.
So…why this boy for my first photoblog post???. Well, the boy is eating a common street snack called “Humitas” Its a simple healthy snack, made from maize (Corn). One thing that I have been ranting about all year is the recent hoopla surrounding biofuels, and their touted ability to solve climate change, and stimulate the Canadian economy. All year I have been screaming…yes but, YOUR BURNING FOOD!!!
Canada is responsible for the devastating food crisis that is just beginning to ravage nations that are already struggling to survive. Canadian corn and soya farmers have switched to biofuel corn production…therefore decreasing food supply. Any first year economics student will tell you that a decrease in supply…leads to a increase in price.
All of this being said there also exists a plethora of peer reviewed research that shows biofuels will never be the answer.
SOME FUN FACTS:
- In Bolivia, for example, the price of bread has risen 65%-100%. In La Paz, the price of both beef and milk has risen 4 bolivianos/kilo ($0.50 USD). This has caused an increase in the general inflation rate which rose 7% in July, exceeding even pessimistic predictions.
- The cost of rice, for example, has seen an explosive increase of 75% in just two months, with the result being food riots in countries like Haiti, Indonesia, Cameroon and the Philippines.
- According to a World Development Report authored by the World Bank, it takes 528 pounds of corn to fill the tank of one SUV. This same amount could feed one person for a year. Additionally, as more and more corn and farmland is diverted to fuel production, it drives up the price of other foods.
- Excellent article on solar vrs biofuel:
Thus the theme of my blog…..OPEN YOUR EYES Many of my friends have said “Wow Joel, I would love to go abroad and contribute something positive…but I just work for this big company.” My response is simple… Be critical, socially conscience, and aware of your actions….If every one lead socially conscience lives…I would not be needed! Buy fair trade, consider the effects of every purchase you make and think locally! That’s it for now…
Excellent blog dude! MORE FOTOS!!!
Love the blog.
. Bookmarking you pronto!
Hey Joel,
You still take great pictures. I do have a few comments though…
Even though I agree completely that using corn to make fuel is pure stupidity and it will never produce enough to satisfy the demand – unless we plant the whole Planet, it is incorrect to equate all biofuels to corn fuel. There are technologies allowing the production of such fuels from plant matter in general and more specifically the interest lies in producing it from parts of the plants that are not eatable by man or animal. So biofuels in general do have their small and limited place in the global energy mix. Sometimes more so for heating rather than cars, but no matter.
If you ask me the problem is that we have politicians that are puppets in the hands of big economic interests. A big part of them have years only for the all mighty dollar. What’s even worse is people’s ignorance and lack of interest to almost anything outside their own pockets. Human nature I suppose. Anyway, in my opinion, if we want real change there has to be some balance between government intervention and making it worth while for the average Jo. It seems history has proven human humility and humanity is not to be trusted for sustained periods of time.
Hey, great first post!
I did a bit of research and found the WDR 2008 from the world bank. It talks extensively about biofuel and the effect on staple crops in developing nations. It’s pretty rough.
However, I can’t find the figure that says 528 pounds of corn to one tank in the report. It’s quoted a whole lot but the source doesn’t turn up.
Either way, awesome work, gonna watch it with interest.