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Water implications of biofuel crops: understanding tradeoffs and identifying options

Biofuels are being touted as a solution to rising fuel prices, growing energy demands, and the need to curb emissions of greenhouse gases. Governments have good reasons for promoting biofuels. Yet, a headlong rush into growing biofuel crops will bring its own problems. Unless planned properly, biofuel crops are likely to escalate competition for water, especially in areas where it is already scarce. New research shows what options policymakers have for making tradeoffs between biofuels and other uses of water. And, biofuel crops that give