[Terrapreta] [Gasification] new studies on GHG footprint of biofuels darkens the picture

[MMBTUPR at aol.com]

          from    Lewis L Smith

I do agree with Jim that the "best strategy [ is that ] we have a rich and 
ongoing conversation". 

The question is whether or not people with good intentions and good will, 
will be allowed to pursue the matter in this fashion. I have my doubts.

We are dealing with media which is much more interested in exploiting 
controversy for commercial advantage than in informing the public. And we are dealing 
with a public a sizable portion of which is accustomed to think in sound 
bites, is technologically illiterate, is easily confused by experts with 
discordant voices, is poorly equipped to distinguish between error, hidden agendas and 
truth or all of the above. Last but not least, we are dealing with legislators 
and public officials who are delighted to postpone urgently needed actions 
whenever disagreement among experts gives them a good excuse to sit on their 
hands. 

[ Since legislators have to be "jacks of all trades" some of this is honest 
confusion. In this regard, we have to separate "the sheep from the goats" and 
educate 
"the sheep". ]

The debate over Global Warming is a good example of the foregoing. It has 
gone on far too long and has seriously delayed urgent remedial measures. It also 
featured almost 200 "front organizations" created by ExxonMobil to oppose 
recognition of the problem. Last but not least, I am a battle-scared veteran of a 
"food versus fuel" controversy in Puerto Rico in the 1980's no less, a battle 
which "the good guys" lost to the sugar traditionalists.

My remarks on the pros and cons of bioenergy were made in this context. 

Cordially.   ###




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