Biofuels such as ethanol are currently being presented as the “clean, green” alternative to fossil fuels but are they?

It is true that Biofuels when burned do not release extra greenhouse gases. But Biofuels rely on growing crops and growing crops requires energy input – current farming practices rely on artificial fertilisers, which are created using large amounts of electric power, generated by burning fossil fuels. Thus, biofuels indirectly add to the atmosphere’s greenhouse gas levels. The process of refining and extracting biofuels also requires electricity generation.

If biofuels are to replace fossil fuels, this will require either a huge diversion of cropland from food production or clearing further areas of natural forest to make way for biofuel plantations. The clearing of forests is already happening at an extortionary rate, we cannot afford to loose more as it is the forests that are the lungs of our land.
A team of UK scientists wrote in the magazine “Science”, that given the same area of land, forests could absorb up to nine times more CO2 than the production of biofuels could save.

There is also concern that using food crops for biofuels could not only jeopardise food availability but also water. With water being of increasing concern in Australia with many farmers still affected by drought.

What is needed to make a cleaner environment is a better public transport system and improved bikeways and cars that are more energy efficient such as the electric car.

Ann