The word is: "Backfire"

This morning's post is warmly dedicated to all those do-gooders and their knee-jerk-spring-into-action-we've-got-to-do-something narcissism. I don't know how many times we need to go over this but I guess it bears repeating...

The rush to expand the use of so-called bio-fuels in order to save the environment, help our poor (tax-payer subsidized) farmers and allow us to top-off our tanks guilt-free also seems to be having a negative effect on the World's food prices. Did you get that?

And who do you think is getting the short-end of the stick here folks? Wealthy Americans on their way to the mall in shiny new Flex-Fuel SUVs? Think again. Look what's happening in Europe...

EU defends biofuel goals amid food crises

That's right. Amidst all of the hysteria, people are now starting to see evidence that one our first forays into pro-active environmental protection ain't turning out the results we had hoped for. Who's idea was this anyway? I think the opening line of this story says it all...

"The EU Commission on Monday rejected claims that producing biofuels is a "crime against humanity" that threatens food supplies, and vowed to stick to its goals as part of a climate change package."

A crime against humanity? But, but... we had only good intentions. It seemed like a good idea at the time, etc. And you thought I was being overly critical of all these nice people.

So, if you're one of those proud Greenies driving around in your new Flex-Fuel vehicle, don't be surprised if you suddenly get the finger from a fellow commuter for no apparent reason. These kinds of stories are growing legs...

But wait, there's more. Andrew Martin over at the NYT discusses the bio-fuel conundrum even further, pointing out that the production of Bio-fuel may actually be quite detrimental to our environment...

Food Crises and Finger-Pointing

Spreading global dissatisfaction in recent months has intensified the food-versus-fuel debate. Last Friday, a European environment advisory panel urged the EU to suspend its goal of having 10 percent of transportation fuel made from biofuels by 2020. Europe’s well-meaning rush to biofuels, the scientists concluded, had created a variety of harmful ripple effects, including deforestation in Southeast Asia and higher prices for grain."

To quote the always wise and eloquent Homer Simpson... Doh!