Elan, I attended the conference in question (thanks to the support of Cornell Engineers for a Sustainable World for paying the $250 registration fee). Little if any consideration was given to the questions you raise about the fundamental drivers for the biomass industry. I suppose that most attendees, while aware of and concerned about these issues, do not believe it is their role to make or even discuss policy. At this early stage of development, I think most academics feel that their fundamental research into, for example, crop improvement is needed regardless of how their results are eventually applied. It may be that some of these folks are using their expertise to help shape policy, however, judging by the recent Energy and Farm bills, they have little influence or are pushing in the wrong direction. Tony Nekut
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Elan Shapiro Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2007 10:11 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Cornell and Biofuels Research Maybe I'm naive, but I am impressed and moved by the tone and substance of this exchange. I'd love to hear others' take on it. Elan >>Dear President Skorton >>As a faculty member and a planetary citizen, I am a deeply concerned >>about the negative impact of the current industrial-scale biofuel >>revolution on our collective wellbeing. I am specifically concerned >>about Cornell's support for this booming industry, as in the current >>biofuel conference it is sponsoring. >>Based on all that I have seen so far, I trust your integrity and good >>will. And I understand that you are just at the beginning of what I >>hope will be a long tenure at Cornell. I know that rethinking >>Cornell's ties to a huge industry that seems to be involved with >>benefiting the planet would be a major, major move. But I strongly >>urge you to consider doing so, given the gravity of biofuels' >>immediate and long term negative impacts. Biofuels , in the industrial >>scale model being promoted, shift the global climate problem from one >>sector of society to another (once again, to the least privileged), >>but do not get to the source of the problem, which is our car-centered >>and consumption-centered economy and culture. >> >>To understand why I consider this situation so urgent and of utmost >>ecological and humanitarian significance, please consider reading the >>article below. >>Thanks for your consideration. >>Appreciatively, >>Elan Shapiro >> >>An Agricultural Crime Against Humanity Biofuels could kill more people >>than the Iraq war. >>By George Monbiot. Published in the Guardian 6th November 2007 >><http://www.monbiot.com/archives/2007/11/06/an-agricultural-crime-aga> >>http://www.monbiot.com/archives/2007/11/06/an-agricultural-crime-again >>st-humanity/ >From: "David J. Skorton" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >Dear Elan, > >Many thanks for your e-mail and my apologies for the delayed response. >The final weeks of the first term were hectic and I am just now getting >to a backlog of e-mails. > >I do appreciate having your thoughts and am glad you took the time to >write. I plan to forward your communication to others who are working >in this area so that they have the benefit of your views as well. > >With best regards, >David Skorton Hi Elan, While there are definitely ways to get biofuels (and other energy systems) wrong, the whole point of research is to see if, where and how we might get it right. That is what Universities can address. If biofuels are to be used, they will be one of many future energy systems that contribute to the mix. Of course, the mix of energy systems that are employed will depend on many factors, including local resources, social and political factors, and the state of technologies such as wind, solar, energy storage and other renewable systems. Open and first rate research in all fields related to sustainabiltiy, such as sociology, economics, agriculture, engineering, science, government, etc., is, in my opinion, a very important factor in getting this right. This research needs to be communicated through education and outreach and needs to inform policy makers. I agree with you that conservation, efficiency and lifestyle choices will also be essential if the future is to be sustainable and if we are to address the needs of the worlds poorest. Thank you for your interest and passion around sustainability. Frank DiSalvo >Director, Cornell Center for a Sustainable Future > Dear Elan: Your Email message to President Skorton expressing concerns about Cornell's biofuels research activities was shared with me and I thought that it would be appropriate for me to respond. I was the organizer for the biofuels feedstock summit that you mentioned in your Email, and I am Director of the Northeast Sun Grant Institute of Excellence with responsibility for orchestrating a regional approach to biofuels, biopower and bioproducts development here in the Northeast. Sustainable development of plant-based resources for biofuels, biopower and bioproducts has been a core theme of the Northeast Sun Grant Initiative (NESGI) from the very beginning. My land grant colleagues across the region have been strong advocates of the sustainable development of the biobased economy for the Northeast, and these colleagues have not sold out to huge companies. If you were in attendance at this summit you would have noticed that the paradigm of sustainable development of feedstock production was core to all of the discussions and planning activities. In many respects the NESGI has been a national champion for sustainable feedstock and energy production, and economic development. By and large we do not represent the big corn producing states with vested interest in corn-based ethanol, and we are interested in a broad spectrum of plant-based resources and organic wastes that can be used to meet energy and product needs of the Northeast Region. We have embraced an "industrial ecology" approach to biofuels, biopower and bioproducts , a system perspective that focuses on the efficient utilization of raw materials and the sustainable use and production of energy by cascading material and energy flows. We also believe that there are synergistic activities for producing energy and materials that can be implemented at the local level. You can learn more about the research and education activities of NESGI at our web-site: <http://www.nesungrant.cornell.edu/> http://www.nesungrant.cornell.edu/. I share your concern that we need to be cautious and exercise due diligence as we evolve the paradigm of agriculture as a supplier of energy and chemicals. However, there are major global drivers such as energy security, climate change and rural economic development that are driving this paradigm. Also, this paradigm and other proposed energy, water and climate change solutions are going to be disruptive and somewhat chaotic -- the transition from a carbohydrate economy to a hydrocarbon economy was not a smooth one as documented in Daniel Yergin's "The Prize." I believe institutions like Cornell and many of our other land grant institutions can play a major role in helping the global community understand and manage these disruptions. Also, I am a big believer that we need to generate a spectrum of solutions that can be brought to the challenge of sustainable human development. As an engineer I very much like having options and possibilities for addressing challenging problems, and research and development is essential to generate these options and possibilities. Biofuels are not the collective solution to our domestic and global energy problem; however, they will be an important part of our energy future. I strongly believe that Cornell's participation in sustainable biofuels production research and education is necessary, given the expectation of New York State, the nation and the global community that Cornell be one of the leaders in making this transition to a sustainable world. On a personal note, I do share your sense of urgency and concern about getting it right on biofuels development. Generating sustainable solutions has been an important part of my life journey. Best regards, Larry Walker > -- _______________________________________________ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: [email protected] http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org _______________________________________________ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: [email protected] http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org
