Ethanol Subsidies Cause Food Riots in Mexico, Pakistan, Indonesia, Yemen, and Egypt
Ron Bailey writes about the “global food crisis” that has resulted in food riots across the world, in countries like Mexico, Pakistan, Indonesia, Yemen, Haiti, and Egypt. The crisis, he notes, is caused by “stupid energy policies” in the form of ethanol “mandates” and subsidies, which result in the world’s breadbaskets producing less food and more ethanol. Ethanol subsidies are causing hunger and unrest in Egypt, fueling the rise of Islamic extremism. Even liberal commentators now admit that ethanol subsidies are a “scam” that causes starvation in the Third World.