Politics! (Take a Deep Breath)

Only kidding, this isn't too bad.

Just saw this little article on BBC "Mexico Leader on Tortilla Pledge" and clicked on it because of the catchy title. Lo and behold, the price of corn is going up because of American diversion of corn harvests to ethanol production.

This is an email newsletter I received from Lester Brown last November:

Exploding U.S. Grain Demand for Automotive Fuel
Threatens World Food Security and Political Stability
Now that the year’s grain harvest is safely in the bin, it is time to take stock and look ahead. This year’s harvest of 1,967 million tons is falling short of the estimated consumption of 2,040 million tons by some 73 million tons. This shortfall of nearly 4 percent is one of the largest on record. Even more sobering, in six of the last seven years world grain production has fallen short of use. As a result, world carryover stocks of grain have been drawn down to 57 days of consumption, the lowest level in 34 years. The last time they were this low wheat and rice prices doubled. Meanwhile, demand for grain to produce fuel ethanol is growing rapidly. (You can read the rest here)

Rise in the price of grain has preceded many riots and revolutions throughout history. But we're beyond all that, right? Well, treehugger though I am, I am wondering if I am even helping by driving a biodiesel car!

These kinds of things are on my mind every day. I'd like to make a difference, any of you have any ideas? Or is this just annoying?

Anyway, the Sink is for talking, so fire away!

P.S. Google purchased Blogger some time ago and they have upgraded the system enough that some of you may even be able to get on the Sink one of these days. Let me know if you want a fresh invitation to join.