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Agrofuels: Big Profits, Ruined Lives and Ecological Destruction
François Houtart
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Description for Agrofuels: Big Profits, Ruined Lives and Ecological Destruction
Paperback. Shows that agrofuels, once heralded as a solution to climate change, do more harm than good due to the capitalist system in which they are produced. Translator(s): Bawtree, Victoria. Series: Transnational Institute. Num Pages: 208 pages. BIC Classification: KCN; RNT; THX. Category: (UU) Undergraduate. Dimension: 215 x 136 x 12. Weight in Grams: 256.
Agrofuels were heralded as a key weapon in the fight against climate change, but the deforestation and theft of agricultural land that was essential to farmers in the developing world, suggests that they are doing more harm than good.
Francois Houtart argues that the green potential of agrofuels has been hijacked by businesses that put profits above environmental protection. This has led to the absurd situation where an energy source that should be sustainable actually increases human and ecological damage, simply due to the profit-maximising decisions of capitalists rather than a flaw in the concept of agrofuels.
Houtart reveals that we need to rethink neoliberalism's relationship to green politics and ask is capitalism compatible with climate change, or do we need to overhaul our economic system in order to save the planet?
Francois Houtart argues that the green potential of agrofuels has been hijacked by businesses that put profits above environmental protection. This has led to the absurd situation where an energy source that should be sustainable actually increases human and ecological damage, simply due to the profit-maximising decisions of capitalists rather than a flaw in the concept of agrofuels.
Houtart reveals that we need to rethink neoliberalism's relationship to green politics and ask is capitalism compatible with climate change, or do we need to overhaul our economic system in order to save the planet?
Product Details
Format
Paperback
Publication date
2010
Publisher
Pluto Press United Kingdom
Number of pages
208
Condition
New
Series
Transnational Institute
Number of Pages
208
Place of Publication
London, United Kingdom
ISBN
9780745330129
SKU
V9780745330129
Shipping Time
Usually ships in 7 to 11 working days
Ref
99-1
About François Houtart
François Houtart was Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the Université Catholique de Louvain. He is the author of Agrofuels: Big Profits, Ruined Lives and Ecological Destruction (Pluto, 2010) amongst author books. He was chief editor of the journal Social Compass, and the editor of Alternatives Sud. He was the joint winner of the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Prize 2009 for the promotion of tolerance and non-violence. Walden Bello is an author, academic and political analyst. He is a professor of sociology and public administration at the University of the Philippines. He is the co-author of Dark Victory: The United States, Structural Adjustment and Global Poverty (Pluto, 1998).
Reviews for Agrofuels: Big Profits, Ruined Lives and Ecological Destruction
'Presents the issue of agrofuels within the global context of the capitalist economy, stressing the role played by the oligopolies in promoting 'green energy'. This is the best book so far written on the subject'
Samir Amin, Director of the Third World Forum in Dakar 'A unique and important contribution to the debate on agrofuels. Vital reading for all those interested not only in the question of agrofuels, but also in the direction of our civilisation and its shameful waste of natural resources'
Professor Olivier De Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food 'That solutions can be the causes of problems is well known and brilliantly illustrated by François Houtart's account of the nature, role and impact of agrofuels. Technically sound, socially thorough and politically grounded, it is also compassionate'
Susan George, Honorary President of ATTAC-France and President of the Board of the Transnational Institute
Samir Amin, Director of the Third World Forum in Dakar 'A unique and important contribution to the debate on agrofuels. Vital reading for all those interested not only in the question of agrofuels, but also in the direction of our civilisation and its shameful waste of natural resources'
Professor Olivier De Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food 'That solutions can be the causes of problems is well known and brilliantly illustrated by François Houtart's account of the nature, role and impact of agrofuels. Technically sound, socially thorough and politically grounded, it is also compassionate'
Susan George, Honorary President of ATTAC-France and President of the Board of the Transnational Institute