Rule Of Thumb: Considering The Advantages & Disadvantages Of Biofuels
Robert Daly
As climate change becomes more evident in our daily lives, there is a considerable need to look for alternatives to some of the most significant contributors to this issue. Biofuels have proven to be a quality alternative to fossil fuels. As countries push to incorporate more use of biofuels, there is concern that there is not enough ethical policy regarding production that ultimately makes biofuels unsustainable.
Fossil fuels at this time remain the world's primary source of energy. However, coal, oil, and natural gas are finite sources. Despite being accessible, modern science realizes the environmental toll sourcing and burning fossil fuels has on our planet. Unearthing fossil fuels contributes to water pollution and land degradation. Even before burning, fossil fuels release harmful air pollutants that have serious health effects. Some studies suggest that living near oil and gas developments is associated with a wide range of adverse outcomes, from higher rates of asthma and migraines to more hospitalizations for cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, and cancer.
According to the US Energy Information Administration, the burning of fossil fuels was responsible for 76 percent of US greenhouse gas emissions in 2016. The increasing outpour of these gases contributes to the greenhouse effect, causing global temperatures to rise and detrimental changes to our ecosystem. Emissions of carbon dioxide, mercury, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxide gases all harm the environment and our health. The impact of global warming perpetuated by fossil fuels has disrupted wildlife habitats and contributed to species extinction. Burning fossil fuels also makes oceans more acidic, ultimately hindering sea animal growth and coastal communities.
Beginning in the early 1990s, biofuels became commercially manufactured(4) as the alternative fuel source. What are biofuels, and what are the benefits of using them?
Biofuel is organic matter that can be converted into liquid fuel. Organic matter, or biomass, includes trees, agricultural wastes, crops, or grass. Ethanol fuel, which many countries are already using as a fuel source, is derived from corn, sugarcane, and grain. Ethanol is commonly blended with gasoline to oxygenate the fuel at the gas pump. The mixture of ethanol and gasoline creates a product that releases fewer carbon emissions into the environment. Ethanol fuel can also be used on its own to power vehicles. Moreover, ethanol positively impacts car engines by reducing moisture build-up and issues resulting from temperature change.
Biofuels are a sustainable source of fuel because they are produced from plants. When plants are combusted through the process of making biofuels, they release carbon dioxide. This gas largely contributes to additional trapped heat in the atmosphere. When plants grow, they take in carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. Therefore, every plant grown to use for biofuel has zero net output of carbon dioxide.
The benefits of transitioning to biofuels as a source of energy are promising. They seem to be the way to go on the surface level, but are there any implications to using biofuels solely?
To assess precisely how sustainable biofuels are, the process of obtaining them has to be evaluated from start to finish. Biofuel production begins with growing crops of biomaterial. The US and Brazil are the leading producers of ethanol because they farm the largest sources of corn and sugarcane, respectively. As biofuels' demand increases, so will the number of crops needed and the quantity that they yield.
Sugarcane ethanol production has raised some ethical issues in Brazil, including deforestation or workers' rights. In 2009, Brazil's president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva prohibited sugarcane expansion into the Amazon and Pantanal to protect the region's unique biodiversity. However, by 2020 current president, Jair Messias Bolsonaro, revoked the ban to support the country's agribusiness sector. Furthermore, the US Department of Labor reported forced labor, child labor, and unhealthy working conditions in the sugarcane industry.
While in the US, corn ethanol production caused concern regarding its societal and environmental impact. Primarily, the cost of foods has gone up as much corn has been used for energy. This becomes a financial issue for populations that rely on these staple foods. Greater production of corn highlights the problems with indirect land-use change, in which cultivation of crops for biofuels displaces the traditional use of the crops for food and feed purposes. Some evidence shows that source production exacerbates greenhouse gas emissions. For example, farming these crops requires machinery that uses gasoline and gives off air pollutants.
The situations presented in both countries point out the unsustainability of biofuels in their current state. So what can be done to eliminate these ethical concerns surrounding the production of biofuels?
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics outlines the ethical principles that must be considered when creating policies regarding biofuel production. Primarily, humans' rights should not be put at risk while aiming to increase production. Maintaining the morality of sourcing sustainable energy alternatives cannot be upheld without prioritizing the workers' health and safety and the individuals within communities influenced by production.
Biofuels should be sustainable and only contribute to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. This seems obvious but can be easily overlooked when biofuels' production becomes any more significant than it is now. Policies regarding land usage should be constantly evaluated to reflect the changes in climate over time.
While biofuels as an energy source may be the most sustainable option for our future, the production process presents ethical concerns that must be addressed to consider moving forward. Maintaining ethical practices is essential to ensure that biofuels remain a sustainable source.
