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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 18, 2009 http://www.worldwatch.org/files/pdf/biofuels.pdf
* Developing
sustainability standards "At
a time of volatile gas prices and rising concern about global warming, it has
become clear that biofuels can play a role in reducing dependence on oil and
curbing climate change," said Christopher Flavin, President of Worldwatch
Institute. "However, the large and growing scale of the industry make it
critical that Congress now make smart choices that promote sustainable
biofuels-rather than just more biofuels-as part of a clean energy
economy." "The
headlong rush toward biofuels, corn ethanol in particular, has had many
consequences, some foreseen and others not," said Carl Pope, Sierra Club
Executive Director. "The downside risks to our land, air, water, and
economy have become readily apparent, but the good news is that with smart
choices we can make biofuels work for the environment, economy, and climate,
while enhancing our energy security." Smart Choices
for Biofuels maps a future path for biofuels to ensure that they are more
environmentally and socially sustainable and that the use of renewable fuels
for transportation contributes to the global effort to reduce global warming
pollution. The steps proposed in the report include an accelerated transition
to cellulosic feedstocks such as switchgrass and the use of more effective
agricultural practices to decrease erosion and soil nutrient depletion. The
report also recommends complementary steps beyond improvements in biofuels
production, such as the promotion of plug-in hybrid vehicles and increased
investments in public transportation, which could also help achieve crucial
energy and climate goals. Finally,
the report concludes that if a renewable fuels mandate is to contribute
effectively to reducing foreign oil dependence and curbing global warming, it
must be reevaluated in light of changing circumstances. Changes in four broad
policy categories:sustainability standards, advancing biofuels production and
new technologies, creating green jobs, and promoting policy coherence across
energy sectors-are detailed in the report. Sierra
Club and Worldwatch Institute previously collaborated on biofuels and
sustainability when they released a report in October 2007 focused solely on
The
Worldwatch Institute is an independent research organization trusted by opinion
leaders around the world for its accessible, fact-based analysis of critical
global issues. # # # ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Anne M. Woiwode, State Director Sierra Club Support the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter - contact The bold steps that are needed to solve the climate
crisis are exactly the same steps that ought to be taken in order to solve the
economic crisis and the energy security crisis - Al Gore |