FOEI puts the blame on Wilmar for rainforest destruction caused by biodiesel production
Friends of the Earth International (FOEI) issued a report in which they accuse Wilmar, the world's largest trader in palm oil, as responsible of the destruction of the Indonesian rainforest, as a consequence of the increase in palm oil production for the chemical and food industry, but for biofuels as well.
In words of Paul de Clerck, Corporate Campaigner of FOEI, "This report reveals that Indonesian palm oil traded by Wilmar is scandalous and damaging the environment. Forests are being cut and burnt down illegally, Indonesian laws are being broken and local people are suffering."
This report points out that the target of achieving a 10 percent of use of biofuels in transportation in the EU must be reviewed, because most of the raw materials, such as palm oil for biodiesel, aren't produced in a responsible manner. According to a recent report by the OECD there are serious concerns about biofuels. In another study, the OECD affirmed that 70 percent of Europe's agriculture land would have to be destined as fuel crop land to achieve the aforementioned 10 percent.
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[Source: Friends of the Earth International via El Mundo]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tim 12:07PM (7/05/2007)
There are problems with “non-food” biofuels too. In fact, biomass only captures about 0.4% of the full light spectrum. Subtract inefficiencies in planting, watering, fertilizing, harvesting, processing, shipping, and combusting and one quickly discovers that liquid biofuels are very wasteful http://www.smartenergyshow.com/?p=24 The resulting destruction of ecosystems along with their flora and fauna can only end in Catastrophic Species Extinction! So much for that cancer cure in the Amazon…
Electricity on the other hand can be moved and stored using existing infrastructure. Renewable sources like wind, wave tidal, etc are working, however their main disadvantages, cost, scale and maintenance (R.O.I.).
Solar PV is between 10% and 15% full wavelength efficient and there are NO moving parts. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell This is magnitudes better than biofuels. Research & Development should concentrate on (1) reducing the costs associated with home captured Solar PV, http://www.nanosolar.com/economic.htm and (2) the most efficient means of storing and using electrons for transportation.
V2G PHEVs is a transitional technology to make people feel comfortable with electric vehicles. PHEVs are the last death throws of the ICEs and they will quickly be replaced with pure V2G BEVs as electron storage improves and people become accustomed to the benefits of pure electric cars and learn to trust their BEV’s the way they now trust their ICEs. After that, Liquid biofuels and Hydrogen will only be used for emergency back-up, heavy hauling and long-range travel.
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TDI-Nick 9:20PM (7/05/2007)
I use biodiesel made from American grown soy or canola. The oil is a waste product when farmers make cattle feed-meal. Sustainable palm oil would be fine for summer operation.
ICE vehicles will be around for several decades to come. There are clean diesels that make 65mpg but I only get 50mpg and have but one small battery. When the TDI was tested for emissions it rated a 1, and that is on a scale of 0 to 10 with 0 being the best.
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