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Contents
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About this book
This book presents a high-level introduction to the science and economics behind a well-worn debate, that will debunk myths and provide quality facts and figures for academics and practitioners in development studies, environment studies, and agricultural studies.
Compiled by an internationally renowned scientist and authority, and including perspectives from pro and anti biofuels experts and activists, from the North and South, this book aims to bring a balanced approach to the current debate on the major issues affecting the development of biofuels.
Contents
1. Food versus fuel- Setting the scene - Frank Rosillo-Calle and Jeff Tschirley 2. The anti-biofuels lobby arguments. (Food versus Fuel- Starvation and the Environment) - David Pimentel 3: The pro-biofuels lobby arguments - Prof. Luis B. Cortez et al 4. Agriculture and land use issues - Richard Hess et al 5. Biofuels and socio-economic development- emphasis on rural development - Dr. Rocio Diaz-Chavez 6. Biofuels and climate change - Professor R H Ravindranath 7. Future trends - Francis X. Johnson 8. Conclusion - Frank Rosillo-Calle and Francis X Johnson
Customer Reviews
Biography
Dr Frank Rosillo-Calle is a Research Fellow in Biomass Energy at Imperial College London. He obtained his doctorate at the University of Aston (UK), and Campinas (Brazil), where he investigated Brazil's ethanol fuel programme. Francis X. Johnson is Senior Research Fellow in Climate and Energy at Stockholm Environment Institute in Stockholm, Sweden and leads the Bioresources and Energy Policy group. Previously he was a Senior Research Associate in Energy Analysis at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Edited By: Frank Rosillo-Calle and Francis X Johnson
208 pages
'While the food versus fuel debate still rages, this book fulfills an important role in introducing the pros and cons of biofuels in a rigorous, well-informed and accessible way that will surely improve the understanding of the issues by the general public. It will therefore help the debate move in a constructive way' - Olivier Dubois, Bioenergy Group Coordinator, UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) "The issue Food versus Fuel is very actual and important to understand our energy and food habits future.The book competent organizers where very fortunate in bringing positive and negative views from well known global experts and, at the end, to provide guidance for the reader to make his/her own conclusion." - Jose Moreira, University of Sao Paulo 'This is a fundamental book for everyone interested in our future. Possibly the impact of biofuels production on food availability is the most decisive externality of bioenergy industry, but still it has been discussed mostly emotionally and without proper information. Presenting pro and against tutorial studies from experienced authors, and including social and environmental aspects as well, this book clarifies this rather complex question and highlights the decisive differences among the biofuels productive routes put forward currently. Beyond polarized perceptions, a convergence point arises: just with efficient use of natural resources, bioenergy makes sense.' - Dr. Luiz Horta Nogueira, Professor at Itajuba Federal University (Brazil) and United Nations agencies consultant on bioenergy 'Presenting balanced evidence and including authors that represent a full range of views on the subject, Food vs Fuel - an informed introduction discusses some of the key issues related to feeding the world population while simultaneously providing energy for their comfort using biofuels. Biofuels have been in use for a long time, and today the main example is that of Brazil where the volume of sugarcane ethanol used yearly is larger than the volume of gasoline. The authors, all renowned specialists in their fields, discuss topics such as land use, energy balance, rural development, impacts on climate change and new results to be expected from ongoing R&D. This is an excellent, detailed overview of the main themes in this challenging field.' - Carlos Henrique de Brito Cruz Diretor Cientifico, FAPESP