HAVANA, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Cuban leader Fidel Castro has called for a worldwide energy revolution in an article published by the official Granma newspaper on Tuesday.

    Under the headline "An energy revolution is needed immediately," Castro lashed out at the voracious consumption of energy, noting that some 10 billion tons of fossil fuels are consumed each year.

    Castro also expressed doubt that proposals to use millions of tons of corn to produce biofuels will bring about positive results, saying that corn is the main food for many countries in the region.

    He also condemned the industrialized world's indifference over "climate change and hunger, which will affect developing countries the most."

    Castro's last public appearance was on July 26, 2006 -- one day before undergoing intestinal surgery and just before his July 31 temporary handover of power to Defense Minister Raul Castro.