It bothered me at first, but I think it’s about greenhouse gas emission. For example, methane is another power source, with legal restrictions depending on the “cleanliness” of the gas when burnt. I don’t remember whether biofuels are still used at the time of the story.
NB on The Windup Girl—it’s an excellent book, but if graphic depictions of sexual abuse aren’t your cup of tea, you may want to pass on it.
I read a story set in that world, and it makes me crazy that they’re using muscle power rather than burning the food.
It bothered me at first, but I think it’s about greenhouse gas emission. For example, methane is another power source, with legal restrictions depending on the “cleanliness” of the gas when burnt. I don’t remember whether biofuels are still used at the time of the story.
That still doesn’t make sense—if the food stocks were created without mining carbon from oil or coal, then they’re carbon-neutral.