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Welcome
to the new monthly newsletter for journalists about the impact of
subsidies, produced in partnership by IPS
- Inter Press Service and GSI
- Global Subsidies Initiative.
THIS
MONTH'S FOCUS: BIOFUELS
Every month, the IPS-GSI Subsidy E-newsletter
will focus on a specific theme through an
analytical essay by a leading expert in that
field, highlighting the subsidy angle in an
issue that journalists might cover regularly.
We begin this month with a look at biofuels,
whose heavily subsidised production and consumption
have exploded in the last year and whose growth
is projected to continue well into the future.
Doug Koplow, founder of Earth Track, an organisation
dedicated to measuring and analysing energy
subsidies, looks at the role that subsidies
have played in that growth, and a host of
concerns that have emerged as a result.
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ABOUT
THIS NEWSLETTER
Subsidies
—transfers of public money to private interests—
are so common that for the most part they
go unnoticed; they can also be arcane and
complex, posing tremendous challenges for
journalists. Yet, many experts believe that
subsidies are one of the most critical factors
in determining the sustainability of a government’s
economic, social and environmental policies.
Read more here about the organisations that
have partnered to bring you this newsletter,
and why.
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Taking
Stock of the Biofuels Boom
By Doug Koplow, www.earthtrack.net
The biofuels boom has come as politicians the world over scramble
to find alternative ways to meet growing energy needs. Biofuels appear
to be an easy solution. The fuels seem to be renewable, since they
are made from plants. Moreover, the diversity of potential feedstocks
suggest they can be produced widely within most countries, theoretically
addressing energy security concerns associated with rising reliance
on oil imports. Throw into the mix the idea that these crops can boost
farm incomes and it is no surprise that legislation aimed at supporting
biofuels is introduced virtually every week.
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More
information about subsidies
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The Global Subsidies Initiative cooperates
with an international network of researchers
working on subsidy related issues. Journalists
working on stories that involve subsidies,
and who are in search of expertise, information
and support are invited to contact Javed Ahmad,
the GSI's Director of Communications, at info@globalsubsidies.org.
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The
true cost of flex-fuel vehicles *
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In the U.S., 75% of flex-fuel vehicles (able
to burn E85 – a blend of 85% ethanol
and 15% gasoline) from 2007 model year have
5.3-litre engines! |
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To keep one of these running on E85, under
“normal” driving conditions, costs
U.S. taxpayers over $520 a year! |
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$520 is approximately the average per-capita
income of a person living in a low-income
country! |
*Calculations
by the Global Subsidies Initiative |
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Doug Koplow Bio
Doug Koplow founded Earth
Track in 1999 to more effectively integrate information on energy
subsidies.
SUBSIDIES
STORIES FROM IPS - RECENT ARTICLES
G8-AFRICA:
Farm Subsidies a Taboo Subject?
By Julio Godoy
BERLIN - In the preparations for this year's summit of the
Group of Eight most industrialised countries, to take place
Jun. 6-8 in the Baltic seaside resort of Heiligendamm, Germany,
aid for Africa has topped the agenda. But the farm subsidy
factor is likely to be avoided in the debate.
TRADE:
Rich Sideline Poor Countries' Concerns in WTO Talks
By Ravi Kanth Devarakonda
GENEVA - As fresh attempts are made to clinch an agreement in
the stalled Doha trade negotiations, industrialised countries
have launched a concerted drive to set aside core concerns of
the developing countries, say trade ministers and diplomats.
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