What else causes indirect land use change?
Let’s assume for the sake of argument that world grain prices do significantly impact deforestation and grassland destruction and that biofuels should be held responsible for it. Are there other actions that lead to increases in world grain prices? If there are, should these factors be penalized in some fashion? Below are some factors that fit this category. Food Waste Research indicates that from 25 to 30 percent of the food consumed in this country is disposed of at the point of consumption (see AgMRC Renewable Energy article “Domestic Perspectives on Food versus Fuel”) This loss does not include the amount disposed of earlier in the food supply chain. Food waste includes food purchased by consumers but not eaten, unsold food disposed of from food service facilities, and other means of disposal. If food waste is reduced to a more reasonable level (e.g. 10 percent), you could make the argument that grain prices would be lower. So, this large amount of food waste increases grain prices
