Biofuels - Sustainable or Not

Biofuels: A Sustainable Alternative?

Wood 461

2/11/2011

Abstract

The food vs. fuel debate predominantly stems from the risk that agricultural land and the crops used in the production of biofuels will suppress food supply on a global scale, resulting in increased food prices. Environmentalists have raised concerns regarding this trade-off for nearly a decade, but only within the last few years has the dilemma reached an international scale, due in part to the 2007-2008 world food price crises (Monbiot). The purpose of this paper is to critically analyze both sides of the argument in order to arrive at a logical decision as to whether biofuels can or cannot be sustainable on a global scale. The basis of sustainability will be measured on the economic, environmental, and social impacts of biofuel production and consumption.

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Introduction

Unstable oil prices, matched with an increasing global demand for energy security has led to an international search for energy alternatives that can be both economically viable and environmentally friendly. One such alternative that has raised public and private interest from firms abroad as well as scepticism from environmental experts is biofuel production.

Biofuel is a common term used to identify a wide range of fuels which are composed of or produced from biomass (biological raw material) (Merriam-Webster Dictionary Online). Lately biofuels have been gaining recognition due to recent spikes in fossil fuel prices, concern over greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the unease over domestic energy security. Biofuels used for transportation are regularly addressed according to their current or future availability. The terms: first generation, second generation, and third generation have been used to distinguish biofuels according to this standard (Bringezu et al. 23).

‘First generation’ refers to the earliest, most conventional method of biofuel production where the feedstock...