Biofuels Camille Cagley Newzaroundus.com
Advantages and Disadvantages A * Less Pollution Production *Biofuels made from waste * Biomass biomass made from degraded/ abandoned agricultural lands (sciencemag.org) * Potential to reduce emissions * Many studies indicate positive net energy balance (energy output greater than input) D Production * Converting rainforests, peatlands, savannas, or grasslands to produce food crop based biofuels creates biofuel carbon debt (sciencemag.org) *Carbon debt of different locations- Brazil, Southeast Asia and the US many at hundreds of years to eliminate CO2 * Land use to produce replace farmland *Destruction of ecosystems * Biofuel use could decrease energy prices which could result in more energy consumption and GHG release
Notes It s tempting to consider and become excited about the transition to biofuels, but there are many issues that need to be considered, and the options weighed out Advantages: less pollution. In regards to production the positive options are to get biofuels from waste biomass. Abandoned agricultural lands can be used to grow native perennials for biofuel production- would help avoid destruction of ecosystems and reduce GHG emissions. Estimates very widely on whether or not biofuels have a positive net energy balanace Disadvantages: Need to figure out which biofuels from land have net greenhouse gas emissions less than the lifetime of fossil fuels that are currently produced. Using good land would result in loss of CO2 storage. Cheaper energy source may result in more energy use and GHG release Sources: 7 Clever-but-Questionable Eco-Power Innovations. 25 Feb. 2008. Ecoble. 23 Feb. 2009 <http://ecoble.com/ 2008/02/25/7-brilliant-but-questionable-eco-power-innovations/> Biofuels Pushing 30 Million Into Poverty. 3 July 2008. Newz Around Us. 23 Feb. 2009 <http:// www.newzaroundus.com/2008/07/biofuels-pushing-30-million-into.html>. Fargione, et al., Joseph. "Land Clearing and the Biofuel Carbon Debt." Science AAAS 319 (2008): 1-5. The Future of Biofuels: A Global Perspective. Nov. 2007. United States Department of Agriculture. 23 Feb. 2009 <http://www.ers.usda.gov/amberwaves/november07/features/biofuels.htm>
suga Rapid expansion= higher expectations= growing concern about impact on the global food system BRAZIL: Ethanol: Sugarcane, soybeans, palm oil- 4967 million gallons Biodiesel: Castor Seed- 64 million gallons EUROPE: Ethanol: Wheats, other grains, sugar beets, wine, alcohol- 608.4 million gallons Biodiesel: Rapeseed, sunflower, soybean- 1732 million gallons US: Ethanol: Corn 6499 million gallons Biodiesel: soybeans, other oil seeds, animal fats, recycled fats and oil 445 million gallons Images from: ers.usda.gov
Notes Rapid expansion has raised expectations about substitutes for oils According to the International Monetary Fund world food prices raised 10% in 2006 b/c of increase in corn wheat and soybean prices, primarily from demand-side factors, including rising biofuel demand (ers.usda.gov) Converting rainforests, peatlands, savannas, or grasslands to produce food-crop based biofuels in Brazil, Southeast Asia, and the US creates a biofuel carbon debt by releasing 17-420 times more CO2 than the annual greenhouse gas reductions that these biofuels would provide by displacing fossil fuels (sciencemag.org)ethanol has 2/3 energy content of gasoline (fewer miles per gallon). More expensive to ship Biodiesel has 90% of diesel Brazil: sugarcane, soybeans, palm oil, castor seed Europe: Wheats, sugar beets, wine, alcohol, rapeseed, sunflower, soybean US: Corn, soybeans, animal fats, recycled fats and oils Personal: More research required for what is best-most efficient-produce less CO2 emissions in the long run. What will make our world look better in the future despite an increase in hoops we may have to jump through. Make it a concern now for the future even though we might not be as directly affected by temperature change as those in the future. Need to consider the options now. answer is what will be most efficient and produce less CO2 emissions in the long run. When temperatures will be a lot more unbearable. More research required to answer this question. Sources The Future of Biofuels: A Global Perspective. Nov. 2007. United States Department of Agriculture. 23 Feb. 2009 <http://www.ers.usda.gov/amberwaves/november07/features/biofuels.htm> Fargione, et al., Joseph. "Land Clearing and the Biofuel Carbon Debt." Science AAAS 319 (2008): 1-5.
Factors for Outlook of Global Biofuels ers.usda.gov 1) Future price of oil 2) Availability of low-cost feedstocks 3) Sustained commitment to supportive policy by governments 4) Technological breakthroughs that could reduce the cost of second generation biofuels 5) Competition from unconventional fossil fuel alternatives
Notes ers.usda.gov 1) Rise in oil prices- most important factor pushing us toward alternative fuel sources Current oil market driven by strong demand factors like growing middle-class economies where people want a higher standard of living 2) Feedstock cost- most significant cost of producing biofuels 3) Strong long-term government intervention is a feature in the top two biofuel producing countries: Brazil and US Government has placed different policy mechanisms like requiring that fossil fuels be blended with biofuels as to increase biofuel market Subsidies and taxes to encourage consumers and make up for higher production costs 4) How much of the land intensity to produce biofuels can be reduced? Cellulosic ethanol could raise ethanol yields-reducing land requirements 5) According to the US department of Energy, global biofuel production is projected to more than double. Another alternative- converting coal to oil Source The Future of Biofuels: A Global Perspective. Nov. 2007. United States Department of Agriculture. 23 Feb. 2009 <http://www.ers.usda.gov/amberwaves/november07/features/biofuels.htm>