Ethics of Biofuel Production

Biofuel production is the processing of "fuel," energy for which has etiology in biological carbon fixation. Sources of biofuel are mostly starch crops such as sugarcane or corn, and cellulose biomass derived from trees and grasses. Biofuel production via these routes yields ethanol as the principle source of energy. The ethanol is blended with gasoline (fossil fuel) to stretch out fuel reserves.

According to the Canadian Red Cross (2011), almost 1,000,000,000 people go to bed hungry every night. In a world with starving men, women and children, who mostly die from hunger, is biofuel production ethical?

This question has been raised in multiple online forums filled mostly with scientists and engineers. Although the topic was introduced clearly, several people converged by demanding a "definition" of ethics. Definition of ethics? Suggested was a review of the collective works of world philosophers dating back to the time of ancient Greece.

Argued by scientists and engineers was the point that "ethics" is what is good for the many, and since fuel is needed by the many, biofuel production is a "good thing." This point of view was countered with facts (1-11) obtained directly from Michigan State University.

Globally, more than 1,300,000,000 people (19%) must "live" on less than $1 per day. Many people in the U.S. spend four times this much on one Starbucks coffee.

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