Green Fuel - Biofuel -
is This the Green Gold?
What is this Green fuel, the biofuel, everyone is talking about? And can it really replace non renewable energy? Biofuel is made from
organic material
(biomass), from plants or animals, and are processed into solid forms like wood pellets, liquid forms like
biodiesel
and gaseous forms such as
biogas
- like
dimethyl ether
(DME).
Green fuel is used to generate electricity and heat as well as power. Recent years have witnessed a renewed interest in biofuel.Some even call it the Green Gold.
Some argue that biofuel will promote rural development and strengthen the economy in poorer countries, enhance energy independence and mitigate global warming.
Others argue that it is leading to increased green house gases and to negative impacts on
food security
with starvation in poor countries. Production of Biofuel can:- Enhance energy security when providing localized solutions and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
- Have positive impacts on food security when increasing energy access.
- Offer new employment opportunities.
- Have a potential to mitigate the green house effect.
BUT – there are some strong BUTs we have to consider. We can't ignore that
biomass energy
and food need the same resources: land, water and energy. We have to seriously address that closer to one billion people don't have enough food. There are more deaths from malnutrition in the world today than any other cause of death. To put additional pressure on agriculture production in this situation would be unacceptable. Food SecurityIf green fuel will contribute to food security it is necessary to look into what impacts the production has on: - Water
- Competing natural resources
- Biodiversity
- Land-use changes
If biofuel projects will have positive effects on rural development they mainly have to be run by smallholders. Not by big companies.
In theory you can say that green fuel is carbon neutral as the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere during combustion is taken up by new plants.
But it isn't that simple.
Transportation, production and use of biofuels are all activities that emit green house gases. To get the whole picture of the socio-economic and environmental impacts we need to evaluate every part of the production, the management, the location and the raw material selection. We must thoroughly evaluate
cash crops qualities.
It is important to use sustainable criteria on every level. The FutureWestern countries are actively looking into options for replacing fossil fuels and bioenergy is high up on the agenda, particularly for transports. Fuel for transport makes up almost a third of current world energy consumption. As a result of official policy in the United States and Europe, biofuel consumed more than 6.5 percent of global grain production and 8 percent of the world's vegetable oil in 2010. European Union has
set up a target
that 10 percent of transport fuel will come from
renewable energy
stocks by 2020. A report finds that to achieve this target an area twice the size of Belgium needs to be converted into fields and plantations.
NGO:s warn that the target will lead to land grabbing
in poor communities in Africa.
It is also estimated that biofuel from Africa will result in higher emissions than fossil fuels. This is when looking at the whole picture, at deforestation, land-use changes and other related issues. But if we evaluate the crops, the spot and the management, we can find more sustainable and ethical solutions. Continue and browse this site and you'll find out more about the Real Green Fuel! --------------------------------------------------------------- Maybe you have some thoughts to share...
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