Burning food for fuel is hurting hungry people. This will
surprise no one except, perhaps, politicians hawking biofuels.
Some still think biofuels fight global warning and ensure energy
security. They're not just incorrect but also—in view of how
their mistakes affect the impoverished—wrong. "Poor people are
suffering daily from the impact of high food prices, especially
in urban areas and in low-income countries," said World Bank
Group Pres. Robert B. Zoellick on Apr. 9. He was commenting on a
new World Bank study of the recent spurt in food prices and
appealing for an international response. "In some countries," he
said, "hard-won gains in overcoming poverty may now be
reversed." The study says global wheat prices increased by 181%
during the 36 months leading up to February. Overall global food
prices were up 83%. Increased biofuel production accounts for
much of the increase, the study says. As though anticipating
responses typical of biofuel fans, the study points out droughts
in Australia and poor crops