What's the More Pressing Need? Food or Fuel?

Food prices are rising for several reasons. A recent article in The New York Times examined one: the expanding use of basic crops for biofuels.

"Each year, an ever larger portion of the world’s crops — cassava and corn, sugar and palm oil — is being diverted for biofuels as developed countries pass laws mandating greater use of nonfossil fuels and as emerging powerhouses like China seek new sources of energy to keep their cars and industries running. Cassava is a relatively new entrant in the biofuel stream.

"But with food prices rising sharply in recent months, many experts are calling on countries to scale back their headlong rush into green fuel development, arguing that the combination of ambitious biofuel targets and mediocre harvests of some crucial crops is contributing to high prices, hunger and political instability."

Click here to read the entire article, which takes an in-depth look at the food vs. fuel issue.