BioFuels
More problem than solution
Biofuels can be a part of solving our carbon emission problem, but they are also becoming a big problem. It depends on the source of the materials used to make the fuel. In the long run, it would seem that Biofuels can only play a (small) part of our transport fuel.Biofuels present the following problems
Not enough space on the planet to meet the demand
The first problem with Biofuels is we don't have enough land to grow enough crops to make enough fuel to power the current number of cars in the world.
Food sold to make fuel
If there is a significant switch to biofuels, the financial return of food and cereal crops will be greater in the biofuel market than the return of the crop when sold for food. This will effectively take food from poor nations to fuel the cars of rich nations.
The loss of forest 'carbon sinks' is worse than the carbon sequestered by growing the fuel
In Malaysia, forests are being to be cut down to grow palm oil to make biodiesel. Forest ecosystems are huge carbon sinks (soil organisms, animals and plants). The loss of these forests is so damaging to climate change that, for the amount of fuel produced, we would be better of using crude oil petroleum.
(Info from various sources including ABC Radio National and Sydney Morning Herald)
The first problem with Biofuels is we don't have enough land to grow enough crops to make enough fuel to power the current number of cars in the world.
Food sold to make fuel
If there is a significant switch to biofuels, the financial return of food and cereal crops will be greater in the biofuel market than the return of the crop when sold for food. This will effectively take food from poor nations to fuel the cars of rich nations.
The loss of forest 'carbon sinks' is worse than the carbon sequestered by growing the fuel
In Malaysia, forests are being to be cut down to grow palm oil to make biodiesel. Forest ecosystems are huge carbon sinks (soil organisms, animals and plants). The loss of these forests is so damaging to climate change that, for the amount of fuel produced, we would be better of using crude oil petroleum.
(Info from various sources including ABC Radio National and Sydney Morning Herald)
Biodiesel Availability in Australia
If you wish to use biodiesel have a look at this site from the Biodiesel Association of Australia Biodiesel Association of Australia and click on the link for Buying Biodiesel.For NSW you can use this link Biodiesel availability in NSW
Updated Mar 2008