Increasing production of biofuels to combat climate change will release between two and nine times more carbon gases over the next 30 years than fossil fuels, according to the first comprehensive analysis of emissions from biofuels in today's Guardian Unlimited.
The original work is in Nature, so its hard to read unless you subcribe. But the reserchers make the point that clearing forests for biofuel production dramatically increases the amount of carbon in trees and soil which is available to the atmosphere.
The article concludes with
The researchers say the emphasis should be placed on increasing the efficiency of fossil fuel use and moving to carbon-free alternatives such as renewable energy.
Argue with that and stay fashionable.
Comments (3)
why is it always "boost production" rather than targeted-intelligent application in transport that causes greatest emissions?
Posted by Mark C R UK | August 18, 2007 12:35 PM
Posted on August 18, 2007 12:35
But who cares about the environment as long as the farmers, the ethanol producers - and the politicians indulging in a little pork barrelling - make some money?
Corn-based ethanol is so entrenched in the US economic and political system that plants will be built in huge volume, if the end-result is soaring food prices and an increase in greenhouse gas emissions.
Posted by John richardson | August 21, 2007 9:02 AM
Posted on August 21, 2007 09:02
Hi John,
There are things in cultures which seem sensible to the people in them but not at all sensible to people outside them. I would put the US political class's enslavement to the Iowa cacus in that category.
Posted by Biofuelsimon | August 21, 2007 11:59 AM
Posted on August 21, 2007 11:59