...requires the availability of fertile topsoil, water, increasingly complex and expensive fertilizers, pesticides, and an appropriate climate. The first, second, and last of these are presently threatened. The use of biofuels is therefore a shortterm solution with disastrous longterm consequences. Biofuels will directly compete with food. This will be most devastating to the poor, because the rich will be able to pay for increased food and fuel prices. This disparity will increase intra- and international tensions and consequently conflicts. The production of biofuels will increase deforestation and contribute to loss of biodiversity. Of course, farmers, particularly industrial agricultural enterprises, will derive shortterm profits and therefore like it.

Plants need some 30 different soil elements to grow. If any of them becomes depleted, growth will decrease and ultimately cease. Each soil element can...

NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.




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