Using agriculture to produce fuel instead of foodstuffs

CactusCritter

30th June 2006 - 07:13 AM

http://www.physorg.com/news70809806.html

I am reading Jared Diamond"s "Collapse: Why Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed".

I am reading about the collapse of the Anasazi culture which occurred around 1200 to 1300 at assorted southwest USA locations including Arizona where I live. I haven"t finished that section yet, but a very severe, sustained drought period played a major role.

I find myself wondering if sufficient arable land might wind up devoted to the production of crops which can be made into methanol and diesel fuel to reduce the need for fossil fuels and push a non-trivial portion of the Earth"s population into starvation.

Sounds like the makings of a science fiction novel, not that I feel capable of worting such a novel.

Your fellow human (yfh)

30th June 2006 - 07:53 AM

* I don't think that there is such a thing as a "non-trivial portion" of human population.

* I think we have enough fossil fuel to last for a long time.

* Fuel prices are going up because of monopolizations leading to price control.

If you wanted to reduce human population, I suggest sterilize/birth-control.

PhysOrg scientific forums are totally dedicated to science, physics, and technology. Besides topical forums such as nanotechnology, quantum physics, silicon and III-V technology, applied physics, materials, space and others, you can also join our news and publications discussions. We also provide an off-topic forum category. If you need specific help on a scientific problem or have a question related to physics or technology, visit the PhysOrg Forums. Here you’ll find experts from various fields online every day.