opening the sluice gates

Here's a roundup of reports on why we need to be careful about bowing to the knight in shining biofuels. In South Africa, as elsewhere, we have been assured that land used for biofuel feedstock won't displace existing agriculture on arable land, and I have mentioned an example of what seems to be non-disruptive biofuel production. What worries me is this statement from The Guardian:

Around 40% of Europe's agricultural land would be needed to grow biofuel crops to meet the 10% fossil fuel substitution target. That demand on arable land cannot be met in the EU or the US, say the scientists, so is likely to shift the burden on land in developing countries.

Did I say something about climate imperialism? South Africa's biofuels strategy may be an answer to the North's prayers, but God help us in the South. If we're going to open the sluice gates for Europe's liquid fuels, we may need to prepare for a flood.