Bill Clinton warns against growing crops for fuel
Bill Clinton warns American farmers that growing crops for fuel (ethanol) will cause chaos around the world, with many being unable to feed themselves.
Ex-Presidents of the US – and Vice-Presidents too – like to find a ‘role’ when they leave office. Something suitably Statesmanlike which continues to give ‘Mr President’ continuing gravitas. And, in Bill Clinton’s case, helps keep him out of mischief.
One of President Clinton’s roles as an ex-President is heading up the Clinton Foundation, which helps African countries develop their agribusiness (terrible word). Which is far more noble than Bill’s former sidekick – Al Gore – running round the world spouting global-warming propaganda.
This week Bill Clinton has been addressing farmers and Agriculture Department employees at their annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, and has warned in no uncertain terms that growing food for fuel (ethanol) will cause world chaos, with food riots likely in poorer countries (Likely? They’re already happening).
The headlong dive by farmers around the world – and particularly in the US – to grow crops to turn in to fuel is driving food prices through the roof. What President Clinton didn’t say – but perhaps should have done – is that growing crops for fuel is actually more environmentally damaging than using oil, as we reported as long ago as 2008.
There is no prospect that the world can cover a fraction of its energy needs by growing them, so why are we allowing this to happen? Already, nearly 40% of crops in the US are being used for fuel, whilst big chunks of the world are struggling to afford to feed themselves.
When will common sense enter this whole debate? When will the nonsense that man is responsible for climate change end? We’re red-bloodied capitalists – not bleeding-heart liberals – but this seemingly inexorable drive to grow fuel regardless of the impact is unconscionable.
And incredibly stupid.
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