Agriculture's Energy: The Trouble with Ethanol in Brazil's Green Revolution

The National Alcohol Program (Proalcool) was a government initiative in Brazil created in the 1970s to incentivize ethanol production and reduce gasoline consumption. It was the world's largest oil-substitution and renewable-energy program at the time, but it ultimately resulted in impoverished workers, environmental degradation, and persistent hunger.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 306 pages
Publication date: 06 December 2022
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

The history of a modernizing Brazil, written by Thomas D. Rogers, delves into the intriguing tale of how a crucial government program, established during the 1970s under the nation's military regime, aimed to harness the energy derived from sugarcane agriculture to drive the country's economic growth. This program, known as Proalcool (National Alcohol Program), was a carefully crafted economic strategy designed to promote the production of ethanol and decrease gasoline consumption. As Brazil's capacity expanded and international oil shocks persisted, the regime's planners intensified their commitment to Proalcool. Drawing funding from international lenders and attracting interest from other oil-dependent countries, Proalcool briefly emerged as the world's largest oil-substitution and renewable-energy program.

In this book, Rogers takes readers on a comprehensive journey, exploring how Proalcool experimented with and exemplified the consolidation of government, agribusiness, large planters, agricultural and chemical research companies, and oil producers. He delves into the intricate details of how these various stakeholders came together to shape Brazil's Green Revolution. The ethanol boom, which characterized this period, served as a visible manifestation of the arc of progress, but Rogers maintains a broader perspective, considering the broader development imperatives at play. He vividly portrays the choices and trade-offs that ultimately led to the adoption of an energy strategy that proved to be unsuccessful. Proalcool, in its pursuit of economic growth, inadvertently created a significant segment of impoverished workers, severe environmental degradation, and persistent hunger.

The full ramifications of the Green Revolution, fueled by Proalcool's implementation, continue to be felt today. The legacy of this program serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the importance of carefully considering the long-term consequences of economic policies and initiatives. As Brazil continues to navigate its path toward development, it is essential to learn from the past and strive for sustainable and equitable solutions that prioritize the well-being of its citizens and the environment.

Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781469670454