Although I write an investment blog, I feel a need to discuss the incessant rape of Mother Earth today. As investors, we are affected by global events, especially natural disasters which can cause tumultuous upheavals to the stock market. Since 2007, we have seen a slew of record breaking climate events. There was no let-off in the year 2008.

The Brazilian ethanol export market is rapidly expanding because of sky-high oil prices. While American corn ethanol is widely regarded as a boondoggle, existing solely because of government subsidies, Brazilian ethanol has proven beneficial for the environment and for business.