Interesses políticos e econômicos interferem no debate mundial sobre a relação entre o biocombustível e a crise de alimentos __________ Paulo Rebêlo Diario de Pernambuco – 05.junho.2008 Santo graal dos combustíveis limpos, o biocombustível tornou-se o epicentro de uma discussão traumática: a crise mundial de alimentos. Produzido sob a bandeira de não causar danos ao meio ambiente, a partir de grãos e de matéria-prima renovável, o combustível limpo e ambientalmente correto também inclui, em seu conjunto de peculiaridades, uma cruel disputa política e econômica cujos efeitos passam a largo dos ambientalistas.
Tag: biocombustíveis
Efforts to reduce dependence on petroleum may set the standard for reductions in global CO2 Paulo Rebêlo email OhmyNews This year, when the Chamber of Deputies approved the decision to make the switch to biodiesel, private companies worldwide and clean-fuel advocates turned their attention to Brazil. The country’s aim is to become the largest supplier of this clean fuel made from renewable resources such as vegetable oil instead of petroleum. The project is backed by a new law that states that starting now it is mandatory to add 2 percent biodiesel to fuel sold countrywide. The act is a boost to clean fuel producers, but also a statement to the world that clean-fuel solutions are more than urgent nowadays, not to mention effective and lucrative. However, Brazil cannot rely on biodiesel production alone just yet. According to Brazilian government officials, only 2 percent will be added at first, with higher proportions in coming years. The market for biodiesel in Brazil is calculated as 800 million liters per year. Today, its production is only 20 million liters a year. What has yet to be decided is which plant will lead the biodiesel production — soy, sunflower or castor bean. Brazil has