World must wake up to the dangers of biofuels, head of Kew Gardens warns

[icymist]

By Michael McCarthy, Environment Editor
Published: 09 September 2006

The world should wake up to the dangers of the mass production of biofuels, which are increasingly seen as a major solution to global warming, according to Professor Sir Peter Crane, director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Extensive production of biofuel crops, such as oil palms, could destroy remaining areas of rainforest and bring about a new cycle of worldwide intensive agriculture involving vast applications of artificial fertilisers and pesticides, and requiring enormous water resources, said Professor Crane, who as the head of Kew Gardens is the world's leading plant scientist.

"There are big opportunities with biofuels, but there are big problems too," he said. "It's not a free lunch."

Professor Crane, 52, is retiring from Kew after seven very successful years to take up a chair at the University of Chicago, and gave his biofuels warning as part of a valedictory interview with The Independent.

Read the article

[Chemical Bill]

1. As if petroleum has no downside. n/t

[icymist]

3. That's not what this article says.

This article is a warning of irresponsible farming practices to answer the petroleum problem.

[MidwestTransplant]

2. Interesting. Ok off to the Hummer dealership!

No it is intersting though. Doesn't mean they are bad, just that we need to be careful.