Biofuel Impacts on World Food Supply: Use of Fossil Fuel, Land and Water Resources

David Pimentel, Alison Marklein, Megan A. Toth, Marissa Karpoff, Gillian S. Paul, Robert McCormack, Joanna Kyriazis and Tim Krueger
Additional contact information
David Pimentel: 5126 Comstock Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Alison Marklein: 5126 Comstock Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Megan A. Toth: 5126 Comstock Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Marissa Karpoff: 5126 Comstock Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Gillian S. Paul: 5126 Comstock Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Robert McCormack: 5126 Comstock Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Joanna Kyriazis: 5126 Comstock Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Tim Krueger: 5126 Comstock Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA

Energies, 2008, vol. 1, issue 2, 1-38

Abstract: The rapidly growing world population and rising consumption of biofuels are increasing demand for both food and biofuels. This exaggerates both food and fuel shortages. Using food crops such as corn grain to produce ethanol raises major nutritional and ethical concerns. Nearly 60% of humans in the world are currently malnourished, so the need for grains and other basic foods is critical. Growing crops for fuel squanders land, water and energy resources vital for the production of food for human consumption. Using corn for ethanol increases the price of U.S. beef, chicken, pork, eggs, breads, cereals, and milk more than 10% to 30%.

Keywords: agriculture; biofuels; energy; food security; fossil fuels; natural resources; renewable energy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (27)

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