Advantages and Disadvantages of Biofuels - Essay Example

Biofuels Introduction Biofuels have existed since the 1970s. Before every international commercial biofuels plant was either a biodiesel or a first generation ethanol. The United States of America has been termed to be the world’s largest producer of ethanol. Back in 2009, the USA produced approximately 10.5 billion gallons of ethanol using corn. Brazil comes in second producing eight billion gallons of ethanol using sugarcane. It is strange to see that in a world where there is scarcity of food, there is a massive use of water resources and land in growing crops for the production biofuels. There is a major competition when it comes to land for cultivating of crops for both fuel and food. Due to the many advantages and disadvantages biofuels have formulated, it still remains unclear whether biofuels production increases food prices? (Ajanovic, 2). Background According to the United Nations, the up-and-coming biofuels industry may risk the rising of food prices. In line with the UN-Energy report: Sustainable Energy: a Frame Work for Decision Makers, it states that biofuels production has already driven up maize prices between the year 2006 and 2007. The report also states that biofuels possibly would have a dual consequence on food supplies. Alternatively, such crops could avert water, land as well as other resources away from the production of food. The report quotes that unless policies are formed and endorsed to guard threatened lands, push bioenergy development in sustainable direction in general and secure communally acceptable land use, the social and environmental damage could in some cases overshadow the benefits (Schnept et al, 167). Body Fuel versus food has been a dilemma in regard to the risks of diverting crops or farmlands for biofuels production in loss of supplying food on a universal range. The food versus fuel dispute is global scope, with convincing opinions on all areas of the matter. There is opposition about how important the matter is, what could be the cause and what should or can be done in relation to it (Tomes, 142). The emerging biofuels production has increased for the past recent years. Some products such as sugar cane, vegetable oil or maize can either be used as feed, to make biofuels or food. For instance, since 2006, a section of land that was previously used to cultivate other farmland products in the USA is currently used to cultivate corn or maize for biofuels as well as a larger proportion of corn is used in the production of ethanol, attaining 25% in 2007. A key argument exists on the scope to which policies of biofuels have contributed to high volatility and agricultural prices levels. A current study meant for the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development illustrates that market driven growth of ethanol in United States’ increased corn prices by 21% in 2009,compared to the prices that would prevailing if the production of ethanol had been frozen in 2004. Lester R. Brown stated that by converting the whole grain harvest of the Americans would only generate 16% of its auto fuel wants, energy markets are efficiently positioned in opposition with food markets for limited arable land, consequential in a higher food price. A large number of R&D efforts are at present being positioned to the production of 2nd generation biofuels from waste, crop residues and non food crops. Second generation biofuels may possibly merge farming for fuel and food and in addition electricity could be produced simultaneously, this could be beneficial to third world countries as well as the rural areas in the developing countries (Desilva, 4). Strengths Renewability: Biofuels are easy to renew compared to fossil fuels which take relatively long time. This is because new crops are planted and their waste material is gathered. Cost: Biofuels are significantly less expensive compared to gasoline. This is true since increased worldwide demand for oil dwindles oil supplies hence biofuels becoming the only option. Security: Since biofuels are produced locally, there is a decreased dependence on foreign energy. By decreasing dependence on foreign energy, countries can guard the reliability of their energy resources as well as make them safe. Source materials: In cases where oil is an inadequate resource that is derived from particular resources, biofuels can be produced from a vast range of materials such as manure, crop waste. This is an efficient step when it comes to recycling. Lower carbon emissions: Biofuels is considered to be a safer alternative in preserving atmospheric quality. This is because when biofuels are burned, there is less production of carbon toxins and output. Weaknesses Energy output: Biofuels emit lower quantities of energy as compared to other fuels. In order for them to produce high quantities there is need to burn more so as to produce equal energy level. Food shortages: There is a major concern when it comes to cropland in growing of fuel crops. This could lead to food shortages as well as high food prices. Food prices: There is a high demand for food crops like corn, sugarcane mainly grown for biofuels production; this could increase the prices for necessary staple crops. Water use: Water is being used massively in the irrigation of crops used in the production of biofuels as well as in the manufacturing of fuel. This could lead to a strain in the regional and local water resources. Production of carbon emission: Processes used to produce biofuels, comprising of machinery essential to cultivating plants and crops, has immense carbon emissions. Though George W. Bush claimed to reduce the use of biofuels by 20% back in 2007, this does not help in the preservation of our environment. There are adverse consequences of the mean policy that was implemented in order to regulate biofuels use. The policy does not consider wild nature hence most of the animals lose their habitat as well as freshwater resources to the huge anthropogenic water and land grab required to uphold the biofuels craze. It has been pointed out that there would be a loss of two thirds of all species by the end of the century due to habitat destruction. Due to the high demand of dual global food production, it has been predicted that in the year 2050 human beings could be appropriating over 2/3 of terrestrial ecosystem. Schnept et al suggests that even the best technologies, entirely set up, cannot put a stop to many of the predicted crisis and the globe’s climate pessimists would formulate the dilemma even worse with their erroneous biofuels programs (Schnept et al, 232). Conclusion We can conclude that approximately all biofuels used presently emit extra greenhouse gas emissions than conservative fuels. Advantages of biofuels have sprouted from rising attack in the current months as scientists have estimated the worldwide environmental cost of their making. Clearing of land for the cultivation of biofuels crops is more problematic since there is an emission of greenhouse gases that worsens the climate change. The tradeoff of food vs. fuel is driving food prices higher. There is also food shortage. There is need to reduce biofuels to reduce this problem. There is need to adopt other methods of fuel production since this competition is hurting the poor people who rely on these food (Katz, 15). Reference Ajanovic, Amela;( Does Biofuel Production Increase Food Prices)? Desilva, Jose G; (The US Must Halt Biofuel Production To Prevent A Food Crisis). Gaffigan. M., “Biofuels: Potential Effects and Challenges of Required Increases in Production and Use,” New York: DIANE Publishers, 2010. Katz, Solomon H; (Food to Fuel And The World Food Crisis). Schnept. R & Net. T., “Energy: Ethanol: The Production and Use of Biofuels, Biodiesel, and Ethanol: Agriculture,” Alexandria, VA: Thecapitol.Net, 2010. Tomes. T., “Biofuels,” New York: Springer Publishers, 2011. Read More