Costco Connection - July 2011

INFORMEDdebate

YES

from members:

Sharon Paradise St. Paul, MN

Biofuels provide one
more alternative to
our increasing need
for additional fuel
sources [and] lessen
our dependence on fossil fuels.

Chris Cavatorta Arlington, MA

Brazil manages to produce a large percentage of their needs with biofuel [from] sugar cane. Why can’t

America do as much?

GETTY IMAGES

Celia Campoli Irving, TX

Corn is genetically
modified and one of
the worst vegetables
for human consump-
tion. Let’s use it for fuel
rather than as part of our diets.

Are biofuels actually a good idea?

NO

BIOFUELS ARE a wide range of fuels derived from biological material such as corn, soybeans and other crops, wood and/or waste. They are being used increasingly as gasoline additives to power vehicles and to heat homes and businesses. In the United States, the federal government called for an increase in the currently mandated level of biofuel production, from 36 billion gallons by 2022 to 60 billion gallons by 2030.

Supporters say that, unlike fossil fuels, biofuels are sustainable and renewable. They are less polluting than fossil fuels and safer than nuclear energy.

Critics argue that using and producing biofuel is not environmentally friendly and that its use is driving up prices for food crops.

What do you think?

from members:

Anthony Aquila Surprise, AZ

Utilizing today’s tech-
nology, biofuel produc-
tion raises fuel prices
and uses much needed
corn crops that are
more useful for food production.

Louise Duval Lihue, HI

Using soy and corn for
fuel drives up the cost
for food. [And] the
cost of making fuel
from soy and corn
costs more than refining oil.

Find out more about this topic on the Web: • http://e360.yale.edu (search “biofuel”) • www.scienti; camerican.com (search “biofuels”) • http://biomechanism.com/biofuels-advantages-and-disadvantages