The Trifecta: Hunger, Hypocrisy, Environmentalism

The hunger crisis in Ethiopia has advanced to a new level of severity, according to the Associated Press. The damaging effects of drought combined with the skyrocketing cost of food in the global market have spread to Ethiopian adults and older children. Since older generations have been traditionally less-vulnerable to the negative effects of crop shortages, this advance is evidence of an unprecedented level of starvation. The scenario would be ironic if it wasn’t so tragic.

The irony of the situation lies in the “humanitarian” efforts of environmental extremists for the expansion of “green” fuels such as ethanol. Increased production of ethanol fuel can be directly linked to the dramatic increase in the price of food. Yet strangely enough, leaders in the green energy movement are also among the most vocal advocates for American aid to Africa. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing dishonorable about providing relief for the millions of people in Africa who are suffering because of hunger, HIV/AIDS, malaria, or oppressive regimes. However, there is disgrace in the hypocrisy that is all too often exhibited by the left. The unintended consequences that result almost always hurt more than they help- Ethiopia is a prime example.

Expressing left-promoted slogans like “Save Africa!” and “Go Green!” has become a social norm within our popular culture. What’s more, anyone who dares to question the rationale or the tactics used to accomplish these goals is labeled a cruel capitalist. (Greedy businessmen always play the villain in movies, and we should always trust the wisdom of Hollywood, right?)

The truth of the matter is that “going green” exacerbates the hunger crisis in Africa. Ethanol production, the pet green fuel project of many environmentalists, is responsible for the 250% increase in corn prices over the past two years. The USDA’s Economic Research Service predicts that if ethanol production in the U.S. continues to expand, the ethanol sector will need 2.6 billion bushels of corn per year to keep up with demand by 2010. That’s 2.6 billion bushels of corn per year that could be used to feed starving people in Africa. Instead, that potentially life-saving food will be burned to power Sheryl Crow’s new “earth-friendly” tour bus.

Although a viable source of alternative energy must be developed to replace oil, burning food during a hunger crisis is the height of irresponsibility. Until we find a reasonable alternative to oil that doesn’t come at the cost of lives lost to starvation, we need to utilize the untapped oil reserves we have in ANWR[1] and along the coasts. It is time for the government to step back and allow the free market to work. Public awareness of climate change and the need for alternative energy has reached the point where the forces of supply and demand are sufficient to solve this problem.

We must also remember that energy producers also have a huge stake in finding a viable alternative to oil, which they know will not last forever. In order to stay in business, energy companies will have to invest huge sums of money into alternative energy research to keep up with consumer demand for clean sources of energy.

Despite the popular -but misguided- opinion, true sound economic and humanitarian policy will allow innovation and oppose government mandates on ethanol production currently adored by the environmentalists.

[1] The proposed drilling area is minuscule in proportion to the massive size of the wildlife reserve and will have little to no effect on the animal populations of that area despite the arguments of the environmental lobby. You can view the ANWR map here.