Biofuels
Biofuel is a product produced from biomass.Biofuel is considered much cleaner than petrol/diesel alternatives.
Biofuel is considered carbon neutral, as the biomass absorbs roughly the same amount of carbon dioxide during growth, as when burnt.
Biofuel isn't as innocent as it seems, as in many cases, large areas of forest are cut down to make space for the plantation of biofuel suitable crops. This deforestation not only harms the carbon cycle, but also harms surrounding civilizations/tribes who live off the forest.
Many environmentalist argue that biofuel is a disaster in the making, and doesn't offer a significant long-term environmental impact.
Some biofuels currently in use are:
Biobutanol
Biodiesel
Bioethanol
Biogas
Vegetable Oil
The use of biofuels can help to reduce the costs associated with the purchasing of mainstream fuels such as petrol and diesel.
It could be argued that biofuel is a product of solar energy, as the sun is needed to grow the biomass crops, which can then be manufactured into usable fuel.
Biofuel sounds like a modern day invention, however, we have used this type of fuel since the discovery of fire. Firewood can be classed as a biofuel, as wood is a biomass product, which can be burnt to released energy in the form of heat.
We need to be looking into alternative methods for powering vehicles and machinery to reduce the future impacts that biofuel usage may pose on the environment. Electric cars powered from the electricity generated by renewable energy sources would be the best option, however, implementing this on a global scale will be a very challenging task.
Biofuel is considered carbon neutral, as the biomass absorbs roughly the same amount of carbon dioxide during growth, as when burnt.
Biofuel isn't as innocent as it seems, as in many cases, large areas of forest are cut down to make space for the plantation of biofuel suitable crops. This deforestation not only harms the carbon cycle, but also harms surrounding civilizations/tribes who live off the forest.
Many environmentalist argue that biofuel is a disaster in the making, and doesn't offer a significant long-term environmental impact.
Some biofuels currently in use are:
Biobutanol
Biodiesel
Bioethanol
Biogas
Vegetable Oil
The use of biofuels can help to reduce the costs associated with the purchasing of mainstream fuels such as petrol and diesel.
It could be argued that biofuel is a product of solar energy, as the sun is needed to grow the biomass crops, which can then be manufactured into usable fuel.
Biofuel sounds like a modern day invention, however, we have used this type of fuel since the discovery of fire. Firewood can be classed as a biofuel, as wood is a biomass product, which can be burnt to released energy in the form of heat.
We need to be looking into alternative methods for powering vehicles and machinery to reduce the future impacts that biofuel usage may pose on the environment. Electric cars powered from the electricity generated by renewable energy sources would be the best option, however, implementing this on a global scale will be a very challenging task.
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