Shell calls food crop biofuels 'morally inappropriate'

World's top marketer of biofuels says turning food into fuel--such as ethanol--is wrong as long as people are starving.

The story "Shell calls food crop biofuels 'morally inappropriate'" published July 6, 2006 at 7:49 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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[justinnewton]

Using foods for biofuel

If his concern is that there are people starving in Africa and other places, wouldn't his purpose be better served if he used the cheapest to produce form of bio fuel available, and then used the extra money created to buy and ship foods to folks? Food crops are not a zero sum game. As they become more valuable we can grow more <for now>. With growing population and energy needs we will eventually run out of land mass, but that is probably at least a few weeks off <and by then we can use algae!>

[stmon99]

Algae Supply

Yeah, but if we use up all the algae, we'll end up using people to make Soylent Green.

[justinnewton]

Using foods for biofuel

If his concern is that there are people starving in Africa and other places, wouldn't his purpose be better served if he used the cheapest to produce form of bio fuel available, and then used the extra money created to buy and ship foods to folks? Food crops are not a zero sum game. As they become more valuable we can grow more <for now>. With growing population and energy needs we will eventually run out of land mass, but that is probably at least a few weeks off <and by then we can use algae!>

[stmon99]

Algae Supply

Yeah, but if we use up all the algae, we'll end up using people to make Soylent Green.

[wylbur]

Mining Top Soil

The big trouble with Ethanol is that it is mining top soil, if we relied on plant crops for food, the US would be out of top soil in 100 years. Even using scrap plant parts for cellulosic ethanol is bad because these are the scraps that are normally composted and returned to the soil. Sorry folks, there are no easy solutions

[wylbur]

Mining Top Soil

The big trouble with Ethanol is that it is mining top soil, if we relied on plant crops for food, the US would be out of top soil in 100 years. Even using scrap plant parts for cellulosic ethanol is bad because these are the scraps that are normally composted and returned to the soil. Sorry folks, there are no easy solutions

[Rolndubbs]

Morrally inappropriate?

So using food crops to produce biodiesel is morally inappropriate, but the gas companies raking in record profits while consumers pay 3.00 + per gallon is okay...And yes, I realize that consumers create the high demand for gas, consumption of gas has not really decreased even though prices have risen, but still, trying to take the moral high ground right now just seems a bit too much at the moment.

[Rolndubbs]

Morrally inappropriate?

So using food crops to produce biodiesel is morally inappropriate, but the gas companies raking in record profits while consumers pay 3.00 + per gallon is okay...And yes, I realize that consumers create the high demand for gas, consumption of gas has not really decreased even though prices have risen, but still, trying to take the moral high ground right now just seems a bit too much at the moment.

[dburr13]

solution evolution

The methods and materials used to produce bio-fuels is changing rapidly...There will come a time when it truly is morally irresponsible to use corn to produce ethanol...But by then we will have found another source of biomass for ethanol production...Perhaps garbage will someday be used!...But in the meantime the utopians among us (and the Ginourmously profitable oil companies) will find something wrong with every solution presented...We have to do the best we can with the solutions that are ready now...To do nothing at all would be the most morally bankrupt decision of all.

[dburr13]

solution evolution

The methods and materials used to produce bio-fuels is changing rapidly...There will come a time when it truly is morally irresponsible to use corn to produce ethanol...But by then we will have found another source of biomass for ethanol production...Perhaps garbage will someday be used!...But in the meantime the utopians among us (and the Ginourmously profitable oil companies) will find something wrong with every solution presented...We have to do the best we can with the solutions that are ready now...To do nothing at all would be the most morally bankrupt decision of all.

[JeffW42]

Africans are not starving for lack of food

They are starving because of the greedy regimes that rule these african countries. Often these african countries don't have money to pay for food shipped overseas, and they stifle production at home with land grabs and discrimination.

Should the farmer say, "Sorry Billy Bob. I can't afford to hire you. We gotta take the moral high ground and ship free corn to Africa instead of immorally turning it into ethanol. In fact I'm gonna have to close down my farm because my morality is too expensive."

Why does News.com even report on these idiots?

[UnwelcomeAmerican]

Already not farming

Join the group. Our 4th generation 1500 acre 70 bushel wheat farm went into CRP this year. No fuel or food for any people because no one wants to pay for the cost of production. Just food for the critters that live wild and free around us. I am insulted by a big oil representative talking about moral values related to agriculture production.

[JeffW42]

Africans are not starving for lack of food

They are starving because of the greedy regimes that rule these african countries. Often these african countries don't have money to pay for food shipped overseas, and they stifle production at home with land grabs and discrimination.

Should the farmer say, "Sorry Billy Bob. I can't afford to hire you. We gotta take the moral high ground and ship free corn to Africa instead of immorally turning it into ethanol. In fact I'm gonna have to close down my farm because my morality is too expensive."

Why does News.com even report on these idiots?

[UnwelcomeAmerican]

Already not farming

Join the group. Our 4th generation 1500 acre 70 bushel wheat farm went into CRP this year. No fuel or food for any people because no one wants to pay for the cost of production. Just food for the critters that live wild and free around us. I am insulted by a big oil representative talking about moral values related to agriculture production.

[TooMuchStout]

Sounds like they are trying to kill biofuel like they did GMs electric car

This is the same garbage they pulled to kill GM's electric car. There are still trillions of dollars to be made out of the oil still left in this planet. I wouldn't be supprised if they came out finding that said biofuel some out poluted more. We don't need to use crops either, biodiesel from WVO is an extreamly recycleable way to run diesel cars. I started making biodiesel a year ago for my chevy suburban. We then sold our Hondas and got VW diesel golfs. We then disconnected our electricity and run off a cummings diesel generator. And this winter we will be moving to an oil burning heating system for the house. Combined with solar on the roof everyone can EASILY be independedt of oil and electric companies. Even if you don't want to produce it yourself. If demand starts to rise the prices on biofuel WILL come down. Which it never will with fossil fuels.

[SteveBarry687]

I like your solution, but...

there is no way my neighbors in Lake Forest, CA would allow me to run a generator. Also, I couldn't even tell you where to find heating oil in CA.

[chuck_whealton]

Re: Sounds like they are trying to kill biofuel like they did GMs electric

I have to give you credit. What you're doing would carry a
boatload of inconvenience for (probably) most people.

I agree with you on the solar power. I've read about homes that
are beginning to be built out in the South West (Arizona, I
believe) where they actually generate EXCESS electricity that's
sold back to the electric company. There's no question we have
to make more use of renewables, especially solar power, but it's
also gotta be economical for people to retrofit their homes with
it.

As for the hybrid vehicles, GM dropped the ball. Even though
hybrids are by no means their only problem, it's a shame if they
actually did cave to an outside interest on something so
promising.

Charles R. Whealton
Chuck Whealton @ pleasedontspam.com
Falls Church, VA

[gdmellott]

Be careful about over stretching.

The big problem that big companies have with developing new technology is; if the the demand is not really behind it in a permanent way they can be wasting their investment and inviting a stock takeover. So I take Shell's words as a warning that the established system of things is looking to pull a 'funny' in that direction; even if it leaves everyone right back where they started. (Sorry I don't have much respect for the effective integrity of our present stock investment system. Also, in my view fossil fuel are really emergency material, if one looks at it from posterities point of view.)

As for WVO postential, I have to hold that you are over estimating the volume available to work with.

Sincerely, Gregory D. MELLOTT.

[TooMuchStout]

Sounds like they are trying to kill biofuel like they did GMs electric car

This is the same garbage they pulled to kill GM's electric car. There are still trillions of dollars to be made out of the oil still left in this planet. I wouldn't be supprised if they came out finding that said biofuel some out poluted more. We don't need to use crops either, biodiesel from WVO is an extreamly recycleable way to run diesel cars. I started making biodiesel a year ago for my chevy suburban. We then sold our Hondas and got VW diesel golfs. We then disconnected our electricity and run off a cummings diesel generator. And this winter we will be moving to an oil burning heating system for the house. Combined with solar on the roof everyone can EASILY be independedt of oil and electric companies. Even if you don't want to produce it yourself. If demand starts to rise the prices on biofuel WILL come down. Which it never will with fossil fuels.

[SteveBarry687]

I like your solution, but...

there is no way my neighbors in Lake Forest, CA would allow me to run a generator. Also, I couldn't even tell you where to find heating oil in CA.

[chuck_whealton]

Re: Sounds like they are trying to kill biofuel like they did GMs electric

I have to give you credit. What you're doing would carry a
boatload of inconvenience for (probably) most people.

I agree with you on the solar power. I've read about homes that
are beginning to be built out in the South West (Arizona, I
believe) where they actually generate EXCESS electricity that's
sold back to the electric company. There's no question we have
to make more use of renewables, especially solar power, but it's
also gotta be economical for people to retrofit their homes with
it.

As for the hybrid vehicles, GM dropped the ball. Even though
hybrids are by no means their only problem, it's a shame if they
actually did cave to an outside interest on something so
promising.

Charles R. Whealton
Chuck Whealton @ pleasedontspam.com
Falls Church, VA

[gdmellott]

Be careful about over stretching.

The big problem that big companies have with developing new technology is; if the the demand is not really behind it in a permanent way they can be wasting their investment and inviting a stock takeover. So I take Shell's words as a warning that the established system of things is looking to pull a 'funny' in that direction; even if it leaves everyone right back where they started. (Sorry I don't have much respect for the effective integrity of our present stock investment system. Also, in my view fossil fuel are really emergency material, if one looks at it from posterities point of view.)

As for WVO postential, I have to hold that you are over estimating the volume available to work with.

Sincerely, Gregory D. MELLOTT.

[thedreaming]

A company...

doesn't have the right to call anything morally inappropriate.

[thedreaming]

A company...

doesn't have the right to call anything morally inappropriate.

Amazing Hypocrisy

If using food crops for fuel is 'morally inappropriate', then wouldn't
the same go for creating oil rigs in the ocean instead of fishing
boats? Wouldn't oil refineries be irresponsible to have instead of
greenhouses? Whoever is in charge of P.R. needs to get fired from
Shell.... these people are insane.

[herby67]

Non sequitur

By building drill platforms you are not reducing the fish population (not directly, at least). By building refineries you are not reducing plant population. By turning food into fuel you ARE reducing food availability.
It is true that people starving in Africa is not directly caused by lack of food in many cases, but in some cases it is. And as population increases we are going to see more of it.
Now the question is, can they produce biofuels by turning into fuel biomass that's not taking land away from food production? Genetically modified crops that can live in areas where no normal food crops could live? I think that's the challenge. It's the only fesaible form of solar energy I'm willing to bet for.

Amazing Hypocrisy

If using food crops for fuel is 'morally inappropriate', then wouldn't
the same go for creating oil rigs in the ocean instead of fishing
boats? Wouldn't oil refineries be irresponsible to have instead of
greenhouses? Whoever is in charge of P.R. needs to get fired from
Shell.... these people are insane.

[herby67]

Non sequitur

By building drill platforms you are not reducing the fish population (not directly, at least). By building refineries you are not reducing plant population. By turning food into fuel you ARE reducing food availability.
It is true that people starving in Africa is not directly caused by lack of food in many cases, but in some cases it is. And as population increases we are going to see more of it.
Now the question is, can they produce biofuels by turning into fuel biomass that's not taking land away from food production? Genetically modified crops that can live in areas where no normal food crops could live? I think that's the challenge. It's the only fesaible form of solar energy I'm willing to bet for.

[yensoy]

In related news, Shell says golf courses are morally inappropriate

They are a waste of land, a waste of water and a waste of labor. We can grow wheat on this area with the same water and care, and since there are people starving, golf courses shouldn't exist.

[yensoy]

In related news, Shell says golf courses are morally inappropriate

They are a waste of land, a waste of water and a waste of labor. We can grow wheat on this area with the same water and care, and since there are people starving, golf courses shouldn't exist.

[QuantumKnot]

If Shell is so concerned about world hunger...

....why don't we see them donating profits to help world hunger?

[herby67]

Because that's not their role

Their role is to provide inexpensive and clean fuel alternatives, not donating money. That's people's role (the stockholders should be doing that with the money they get from the compan y, for the company to do that would be just irresponsible).

[chuck_whealton]

Re: if Shell is so concerned about world hunger...

I'd have to agree that it's a bit disconcerting to hear any oil
company talking about >MORALS<.

I recently read an article about how meals on wheels was having
a bad time getting food delivered to older people because fuel
had become so high.

While Shell talks about morals?

Charles R. Whealton
Chuck Whealton @ pleasedontspam.com
Falls Church, VA

[btl-jooz]

they should LOWER Ga$ Price$ so that

people can AFFORD to buy food!!!

Food has to get from the farm to market and high fuel price$ only add to the co$t of that food. :|

[QuantumKnot]

If Shell is so concerned about world hunger...

....why don't we see them donating profits to help world hunger?

[herby67]

Because that's not their role

Their role is to provide inexpensive and clean fuel alternatives, not donating money. That's people's role (the stockholders should be doing that with the money they get from the compan y, for the company to do that would be just irresponsible).

[chuck_whealton]

Re: if Shell is so concerned about world hunger...

I'd have to agree that it's a bit disconcerting to hear any oil
company talking about >MORALS<.

I recently read an article about how meals on wheels was having
a bad time getting food delivered to older people because fuel
had become so high.

While Shell talks about morals?

Charles R. Whealton
Chuck Whealton @ pleasedontspam.com
Falls Church, VA

[btl-jooz]

they should LOWER Ga$ Price$ so that

people can AFFORD to buy food!!!

Food has to get from the farm to market and high fuel price$ only add to the co$t of that food. :|