The Cost Of Biofuel

Posted by: Stevea on 30 October 2007

I caught a snippet of something on the radio the other day and it made me wonder about whether biofuel would ever really be a net benefit to the planet. Something I had not really formed any opinion on at that point.

Apparently the diversion of crops into biofuels has forced the price of grain (and presumably other crops) up so much that increased numbers of people are now no longer able to afford to buy it for food.

So, the more people in the 'west' feel better about themselves for using biofuel, even if they use up half the planet to grow the crops, the more starving people they will have to ignore to continue feeling good about themselves.

Steve
Posted on: 30 October 2007 by Rico
not to mention the increased rate of deforestation caused by future deman for wheat crops.

eventually we'll figure out that cycling is a good option, with a reasonably low guilt factor and added health benefits.
Posted on: 31 October 2007 by Matthew T
Until they find a way to utilise the non edible components of arable crops (they are getting closer) then biofuels do not make much sense, brazilian sugar cane based ethanol does have a net positive energy impact, most european production does not and can even result in higher CO2 emissions then using fossil fuels. This is more true with bioethanol then diesel derived from rape seed. This doesn't take into account the impact of other 'green house' gases.

My understanding is that the US is pushing the research on utilising the non edible components of wheat and corn reasonably hard, this would be the greatest development of the 21st century, it would also secure the U.S. as the economic power house of the world. Maybe somebody here has a more detailed knowledge in this area.

Matthew

PS I have yet to be convinced that green house gas emission by man is having a marketed impact on global temperatures