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Monthly Educational Forums at the Phinney Center:
Schedule & Topics.
Our Monthly Educational Forums are held at the Phinney Neighborhood Center in north-central Seattle:
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Food vs Fuel: JUNE 28th's Forum Topic!!
This is potentially a very contentious argument against Biodiesel, and Biofuels in general.
Because Biodiesel in this country is largely made from feedstock that is a side-product of the animal feed industry. (To say it is a "by-product" is not completely honest - both main products from canola, soy, and rape production are equally valued as commodities).
Soy is grown for it's protein rich meal that is used in livestock feed, as well as canola for it's meal. The oil is pressed out and used as a food additive - but never to the extent that say, corn oil has been traditionally used.
The Northwest
Biodiesel Network supports the use of sustainably grown oilseed crops,
and prefers those that are grown regionally and used locally for
production. Soy is the overriding oilseed however, and it is
acknowledged as the feedstock for the majority of biodiesel produced in
this country. Soy oil has made the biodiesel industry possible,
and as we move to Gen 2 and Gen 3 feedstocks, it will be because the
market was created by soy initially, and allowed all the rest of the
industry to take root around it.
Here we will provide some links that address the notion that Biodiesel nationally and internationally is the largest contributing factor to food prices or shortages.
Study finds biodiesel benefits livestock
producers
- and lowers feed prices
A very good Food vs Fuel FAQ from BiodieselSustainability.org.
Recent World Bank statement & report
WSU: "Biodiesel and the Food vs. Fuel Debate"
- and lowers feed prices
A very good Food vs Fuel FAQ from BiodieselSustainability.org.
Recent World Bank statement & report
WSU: "Biodiesel and the Food vs. Fuel Debate"
We will provide more links as we review them, and they become available.
Comments? Email the webmaster at webguy@nwbiodiesel.org
site last updated 8/21/2011 - dw