The Cost of Biofuel

Every sector of the economy depends on energy for production and other day-to-day activities. Arguably, transport sector is one of the sectors that highly depend on energy.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Cost of Biofuel specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Each vessel of transportation uses one source of energy or the other. However, oil which is mostly used as a source of energy in the transport sector is non-renewable. In this regard, the campaign by environmentalists about the need to use renewable sources of energy which are environmentally friendly has led to the introduction of biofuel as a source of energy. Unfortunately, biofuel uses food crops in its production thus reducing the amount of food available for human consumption. Moreover, food prices have increased drastically in recent years thereby becoming unaffordable especially for the poor people. Part of this increase has been attributed to use of b iofuels. Consequently, there have been arguments as to whether measures should be taken to ensure that people do not die of hunger while food crops are used to produce biofuel. With the trend of current use of energy, it is quite crucial that alternative sources of energy are found. Fossil fuels which are majorly used in energy production are not only non-renewable, but also a source of environmental pollution. Consequently, it is quite crucial that other sources of energy which are environmentally friendly should be explored to reduce the effects of environmental degradation (Gasparators Stromberg, 2012). In Addition, a source of energy that will support future generations should be found or else we leave the future generation at the mercy of fate. Biofuels are thus very crucial because despite the fact that they are renewable and will therefore be sustainable in the long run, they do not pollute the environment. It is important to note that production of biofuel does not only hav e advantages as its activists may want us to believe. Increase in use of biofuels has increased competition in food production. The amount of corn used in the production of ethanol has increased sharply in recent years. On the same note, soybeans are also increasingly being used in production of biodiesel while their consumption as food is reducing. Unfortunately, increase in production of food is not proportionate to the increase in the quantity of food demanded. Consequently, prices have had to increase due to high demand (Scragg, 2009). This has reduced the ability of people especially the poor to afford food thus exposing them to danger of starvation.Advertising Looking for essay on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Moreover, due to increased demand of corn and soybeans coupled with the good prices that these crops fetch, more and more farmers are dedicating their land to production of these crops. Thi s has encouraged monocropping which has proved to be dangerous in the past. It is important to note that planting one type of crop repeatedly in a place reduces fertility of the soil while at the same time it leads to resistant pests (Westhoff, 2010). Consequently, this reduces quantity of production in the long run. Though, these effects may take time to be felt, they will definitely affect future production. Similarly, increased demand for production of ethanol and biodiesel has made farmers to look for farming ways through which they can increase their production. As a result, farmers are using more aggressive methods of farming (Westhoff, 2010). These include; too much mechanization and increased use of fertilizers as well as pesticides. The result is soil depletion, increased soil erosion and environmental pollution. Therefore, contrary to the main aim of using biofuels which is to conserve the environment, biofuels contribute to environmental degradation. Notably, biofuel acco unts for a very minimal percentage of energy consumed in the world currently. Nevertheless, the amount of energy used in its production is far much higher than the amount of energy produced from biofuels. However, biofuels are responsible for a very significant increase in the quantity of food consumed. Similarly, biofuels have affected biodiversity by encouraging people to rely on one crop farming. All these will affect the low income earners not only due to increased food prices, but also due to reduced choices (Scragg, 2009). We all agree that renewable and eco-friendly sources of energy should be explored to ensure sustainability of energy in the future. However, increase in world population means that food production especially for human consumption should be increased, not decreased.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Cost of Biofuel specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Much as biofuels have to be produced, s teps should be taken to ensure that food security is achieved. It is very inhuman to produce food which is used for energy production while people are dying of hunger. Research should be done to increase the number of crops that can be used to produce biofuel (Gasparators Stromberg, 2012). Moreover, mixed farming should be encouraged so that the quantity of crops produced will be increased thus ensuring that food is always available. In addition, there is need to educate farmers that food can be produced for profits. This will ensure that people do not stop producing food because biofuel crops pay well. In a nutshell, the cost of biofuel should be balanced with the sacrifices made. If stakeholders do not take care, production of biofuel will jeopardize food security. References Gasparators, A. Stromberg P. (2012). Socioeconomic and Environmental Impacts of Biofuels: Evidence from Developing Nations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Scragg, A. H. (2009). Biofuels: Production, Application and Development. Wallingford: CABI. Westhoff, P. (2010). The Economics of Food: How Feeding and Fueling the Planet Affects Food Prices. Upper Saddle River: FT Press. This essay on The Cost of Biofuel was written and submitted by user June P. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

development geography essays

development geography essays Using a variety of contemporary geographic issues, discuss how they are related to the levels of development in nations that you have studied. The reasons for high or low development within any nation directly relates to an assortment of geographic issues. These can include things such as the changes to social and political power within a nation, peoples access to housing and employment, and the environmental quality in which the nation is surrounded. Environmental quality refers to the condition of a countrys environment and its ability to continue to support the population. It is for this reason that we regard environmental quality as an indicator of the development of a country, i.e. the more polluted the environment, the less developed the nation. In many developing countries, poverty forces farmers to overgraze land and also to deforest vast areas for fuel wood. Also, poverty spreads disease by depriving communities of clean water and adequate sanitation. Even where poverty is less extreme, lack of technology for disposing of industrial pollution or improving energy efficiency results in wasted resources and generates environmental damage. Pakistan has about 25 million ha of arable land. About 0.4 million ha is lost every year due to salinity and water logging. If these rates continue then by 2050 there will be no farmland left in Pakistan and Pakistans population will have doubled to 180 million people. In developed countries however, technology is so much more accessible and it provides us with an immense amount of material goods and comforts yet fouls our air with pollutants, generates hazardous wastes and creates enormous demands for energy. The United States, with one of the highest GNPs (Gross National Product) in the world, spends a very small part of its GNP on the environment. The quality of life of the population is affected as a result; for example, 30 000 people are thought t...