Frank Rosillo-Calle
Imperial College London, UK
Title: The Food and Fuel Controversy- Perceived and real potential conflict of biofuels and food security
Biography
Biography: Frank Rosillo-Calle
Abstract
Dealing with food and fuel can be very emotive, because for many people, the use of land to produce fuel instead of food is ethically wrong, particularly when so many people go hungry or are undernourished; there is a large body of literature to testify this. Misinformation, misconceptions, and vested interests, have accompanied the development of the biofuel industry since almost it insertion. There are, however, multiple reasons to challenge this misrepresented view of reality. The underlaying reasons of why this situation have arisen are multiple. Also, the narrowness of the debate e.g. the focus in just a few feedstocks (maize, sugarcane, cereals), and the geographical dimension [although biofuels are global, just a few countries (Brazil, and USA and to a lesser extent the EU)], are the key players. This has been further compounded by the emphasis of many studies on the negative implications of biofuels without taking fully into account their intertwin nature e.g. agriculture sector, environmental and social implications. More recently the geographical diversity is being enriched by a greater diversification of the feedstock and better understanding of the implications. For far too long the emphasis has been on the potential conflicts rather than to the complementarity of food and fuel production. The development of biofuels is limited by many factors, but not necessarily by these so strongly emphasized throughout history such as direct land use competition with food production or ethical considerations. The aim of this presentation is to outline the latest developments on food and fuel and the extent to which the debate is overcoming old prejudices. Scientific facts, greater pragmaticism and holism should be the main pillar. Also, it should be recognized that much will also depend on factors indirectly linked to biofuels such as eating habits. Innovation in the agricultural sector, environmental, social and policy considerations, will also play a key role.
Recent publications:
- STRAPASSON et al (2017) On the global limits of Bioenergy and land use for climate change mitigation, GCH Biology, doi.10.1111, gcbb 12456
- ROSILLO-CALLE F (2016) Review of biomass energy: Shortcomings and concerns, in Jr. of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 91: 1932-1945
- ROSILLO-CALLE F, DE GROOT, P. HEMSTOCK S, & WOODS J, Editors and contributors, (2015) Biomass Assessment Handbook- Bioenergy for a Sustainable Development, Second Edition, Routledge, London. ISBN 978-1-138-01964-5, HB; ISBN 978-1-138-01965-2 PB; 320pp
- ROSILLO-CALLE F (2015) Biofuel: The Oxford Companion to Sweets, Oxford University Press pp. 58-60
- Rosillo-Calle f (2012) Food versus fuel: toward a new paradigm- The need for a Holistic Approach (Commissioned paper “Spotlight Article for ISRN Renewable Energy, Volume 2012, Article ID 954180;