how much longer can this go on for, page-16

Devine - this unfortunately is the real world we live in where the ridiculous and stupid are often the path that is chosen rather than the obvious and sensible.

To take your rationale, that we change farming practices and uses for agricultural products (i.e. we actually EAT what we grow rather than turn it into a fuel) then what's stopping us from simply revising the way we consume fossil fuels? What's stopping us from impacting the environment via global warming?

I'll tell you what is - $. Man is simply too lazy and too greedy to do the RIGHT thing when it's EASIER and CHEAPER to do the WRONG thing.

If ethics and right and wrong are your passion in life, I suggest you take it to the man, as the stock market doesn't care what's right or wrong - the market only cares about the $.

Granted this is a rather pessimistic view of life, that money drives people rather than morals, but as you used the United States as an example so shall I. The current price rises in petrol ($4 a gallon I believe) is forcing americans to change, not because they want to, not because it's the right thing, but simply because they can't AFFORD to do the "wrong" thing anymore. The market is driving the yanks to change, they're driving smaller cars, they're demanding public transport infrastructure, they're questioning the use of something that's COSTING them more than they're used to.

This is a good thing ultimately.

As far as bio-fuels and food demand goes however, there's more to the demand in agriculture than simply the US's short term view on resolving this "crisis". Global warming is changing weather patters, crops are failing, populations are rising at alarming rates - ultimately this needs to be addressed in very real terms - the short term being doing WHATEVER IT TAKES to meet this demand. That short term solution right now is to grow more food as quickly as possible with the resources available.

Sure, 20 years from now we'll potentially change our ways. But wheels turn slowly in civilizations where decisions are made on financial benefit and loss rather than the longer term goal of achieving sustainable growth with minimal impacts to our surrounding environment.

That all said - this boom will continue for the short term.