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Power is sweet: sugarcane in the global ethanol assemblage
1Florida International University.
The Journal of Peasant Studies
|September 29, 2010
Summary
New Brazil-US alliances are expanding the sugarcane ethanol system. This "ethanol assemblage" involves diverse actors and highlights Miami
Area of Science:
- Agro-industrial economics and global supply chains.
- Sociology of globalization and urban studies.
- Environmental policy and renewable energy systems.
Background:
- The historical sugarcane plantation system in the Americas is experiencing a resurgence.
- Emerging alliances between Brazil and the United States are driving growth in ethanol production, transport, and trade.
- Conceptualizing agrofuels requires understanding both global trends and distinct regional patterns.
Observation:
- The study utilizes the concept of global assemblages to analyze the complex network of actors involved in the ethanol industry.
- Miami's role as a global city is examined as a key hub for information, investment, and commodity flow.
- The research identifies the multifaceted nature of the "ethanol assemblage," encompassing states, corporations, growers, consumers, and landscapes.
Findings:
- Alliances between Brazil and the US are revitalizing and expanding the Americas' sugarcane plantation system for ethanol.
- The "ethanol assemblage" is a complex network including states, corporations, growers, technology, consumers, and communities.
- Distinct regional patterns emerge within the polymorphous agrofuel industry, with a focus on sugarcane ethanol.
Implications:
- Understanding the "ethanol assemblage" provides insights into the socio-economic and political dynamics of renewable energy.
- Miami's strategic position highlights the interconnectedness of global cities in facilitating agrofuel trade and development.
- The findings contribute to policy discussions on sustainable agrofuel production and hemispheric cooperation.
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