The Return of Neocolonialism: Most Overlooked Biofuels Story #8

Digest readers have been occasionally interested in, but not compelled, by a series of articles that have looked at the potential return of slave labor conditions and neocolonialism in South America, Africa and other sections of the “growing zone” as rich northern nations use their industrial wealth to buy vast tracts of land for the production of cheap bioenergy to feed their industrial appetites for energy.

NGOs have been warning, but China and the EU have been proceeding with large scale purchases and leases, particularly in Africa, with few signs that they are interested in slowing down. The need for food and energy security is driving nations in the north, though students of history may find amusing the prospect of a socialist China in the mix of nations criticized for the practice.