The Production of Biofuels - Essay Example

Biofuels
For the past few years, there has been a marked increase in the prices of oil due to the fast depletion of the oil reserves. This has led to general economic difficulties in many countries. This has motivated the production of biofuels as an alternative and aid in maintaining or increasing the social and economic strength of local communities. Biofuel is made from agricultural crops grown in the US and other parts of the world. It is projected that in the near future, biofuel will be able to yield significant environmental advantages to its consumers while assuring energy security. However, biofuels are not an overall good alternative to our reliance on petroleum in today's economy. In effect, the low supply of food commodities in the food market has translated to increased global food prices (Bruce et al, 2010).

According to FAPRI (2009), biofuel production has also encouraged farmers to limit their production of other crops and concentrate on corn. This has led to the reduction in the supply of other types of crops hence an increase in their prices. Extensive corn production has also encouraged extensive land use and potential encroachment into wild habitats, forests, and swampy areas. This threatens the potential of the land to sustain future generations, especially encroachment to wetlands.

Bruce et al (2010) state that during biofuel production, a lot of energy is used making the project uneconomical. In some cases, the energy used is more than what is produced. For others like ethanol, 1 unit of energy produces 1.5 units of ethanol. It should also be noted that biofuel is produced from biomass. This is renewable and degradable hence it will have cumulative long-term negative effects on future generations. A study on biodiesel utilization has revealed that there is an increase in NOx in biodiesel emissions. This means it has not served to mitigate the effects of fossil fuels upon the environment.

Counter views
Concerning the contribution of biofuel to increased global food prices, biofuel cannot be totally be blamed for it. This is because such a project can only be undertaken by a country after a thorough assessment of its ability to feed its people and the availability of excess for biofuel production. Currently, there are enough farms to grow crops that support this project. Countries that produce biofuels like the US and Brazil have significantly increased their corn, sugarcane, and vegetable oil production. Farmers plant these crops knowing they are meant for two markets. In some cases, they even have a surplus of these commodities at the end of the year. According to Colitt (2008), improved economic conditions leading to better feeding can be blamed for the rise in food prices.

Though it may be said that biofuel production is uneconomical due to its input versus output, the situation has changed over the past couple of years. There have been significant improvements in technology and recent tests reveal that at the present, biodiesel and ethanol produce energy that is comparable to conventional diesel. In fact, biodiesel gives out 3.2 units per unit of energy used in its manufacture. This is almost similar to the production of traditional full-like gasoline that requires 20% energy depending on what it can produce. This leaves the consumers with 80%. Biofuel is generally cheaper.

Despite the improvements in technology that make biofuel production economical and increased crop acreage, their impacts are still significant. Famine is a global issue and it is inhuman for people of one country to starve as those in another use their food to make oil for driving vehicles and machines. There is less difference between energy used to produce gasoline and biofuel. This means biofuels have not addressed the issue of the energy crisis adequately. Its net output is low. Most people are going through hard economic times hence there is a minimal chance that improved economic conditions are the cause of increased food prices.

Conclusion
It is important to acknowledge that the global oil reserves getting depleted and this requires a shift from dependency on fossil fuel. This also helps to reduce the effects that fossil fuels have had on the environment. The production of biofuels is one good alternative. It produces a lot of fuel, reduces dependency on fossils, it is safer for the environment and the pocket. However, a weighty consideration of the cons associated with biofuels disqualifies it as an overall good alternative to our reliance on petroleum in today's economy. This calls utilization of other less harmful sources of energy like wind, water, and solar. This will ensure that biofuel does not face extinction and neither does it threaten the existence of man by creating a competitive market for food products and cropland.