The Post Peak Oil Historian

As I witness the varied responses globally to Post Peak Oil, I find myself more and more concerned about the ethical treatment of our fellow men in a time of profit and scarcity. Throughout history are examples where the lure of profit has led to atrocities against large segments of populations. These have not just happened in small African or South Asian countries. The West holds no ethical high ground in these matters. Nor are these occurrences in the far past or 'beyond us' now.

Exports of food during the Irish Potato Famine.

http://www.wolfetonesofficialsite.com/famine.htm


The Highland Clearances in Scotland come to mind.

http://www.electricscotland.com/history/hclearances.htm


As well as the decimation of American Indian populations to fulfill America's 'Manifest Destiny'.

http://www.bluecorncomics.com/destiny.htm

Also Stalin's push for industrialization

http://www.ukrweekly.com/Archive/1988/458814.shtml


It is easy to rationalize any position that profits oneself and to discount arguments against. Every journey begins with a single small step, even ones that lead to atrocities.

We must seek to recognize the ramifications of our policies and positions with regards to their effects on our fellow men. Markets and political decisions do not exist in a vacuum.

I strongly urge the reassessment of the issue of Ethanol and the food supply. I truly believe this is a journey that will not end well.

http://www.foodproductiondaily-usa.com/news/ng.asp?n=76688-retail-prices-corn-biofuels

http://www.redherring.com/Article.aspx?a=20607&hed=Ethanol%3DSoaring+Corn+Prices%3F

http://www.energybulletin.net/16544.html

http://www.vindy.com/content/opinion/oped/290214124940608.php

http://www.healthpolitics.org/media/ethanol_the_battle_over_corn/transcript_ethanol_the_battle_over_corn.pdf

But the chairman of the House Agriculture Committee said higher food prices aren't all bad.

"Frankly, we have been underpricing our food in this country," said Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn. "What this fuel thing is going to do is cause us to re-price our food to some extent. So consumers are going to pay more, and in my opinion, they should be, because we've been subsidizing them."

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003596561_ethanol02.html

Do you feel you have been paying too little for food?

The first step on that journey has already begun.