1. Biofuels don’t affect food prices
Myth: There is no direct link between increased production of biofuels and increased food prices
Truth: An indirect link between biofuel production and an increase in the cost of food exists because biofuels compete with food for land. To produce 1 liter of ethanol, you need to plant, grow, harvest and transport the sugar cane or other feedstock. The constant search for new land on which to plant sugar cane is already causing deforestation.
2. Biofuels don’t help reduce greenhouse gas emissions or air pollution
Myth: In fact, biofuels from biodiesel made from palm oil have been found to be more polluting than diesel fuel, and research has shown that ethanol produced from corn actually increases air pollution.
Truth: Although biofuels emit less greenhouse gases than fossil fuels (per unit of energy), direct and indirect emissions from farm production and transportation can negate some or all the life-cycle advantages of biofuels.
3. Biofuel production doesn’t require a lot of energy
Myth: Research has shown that the amount of fuel ethanol needed to produce the ethanol itself is more than the energy benefit gained.
Truth: Although some biofuels such as those made from sugar cane can produce more fuel than they consume, most of the significant research into biofuel production has revolved around turning biomass into electricity directly. The challenge of deriving a net energy benefit from current methods of producing biofuels is greatly hampered by the energy needed to produce the plants that are turned into biofuels. Large amounts of fossil fuel energy is required for farm equipment, fertilizers and pesticides, transport, refining and more. It’s also not easy to find good places to grow biomass in large enough quantities.
4. Biofuels aren’t exclusively made from food crops
Myth: The first and most widely used biofuels, ethanol and biodiesel, are both made from food crops like corn and soybeans.
Truth: Corn is the primary source for producing ethanol in the USA, but it only produces about 20% of the fuel required to meet US demand. Most cars on the road could run on an ethanol/gasoline blend (E10), but that limits the amount of ethanol that can be produced.
5. Other types of biomass are more environmentally friendly than crops like corn and soybeans
Myth: For example, algae produce large amounts of oil that can be turned into biodiesel, but it requires large amounts of water, land, and energy to produce, and it is generally more environmentally intensive.
Truth: Algae may be a good source of biodiesel assuming they can refine it in a cost-effective manner without using too much energy or resources in the process. Other sources such as forest waste and urban waste are better options in some parts of the world, but they also require significant research and development to make them usable as alternatives to conventional energy sources.
6. Biofuel production doesn’t cause deforestation
Myth: Tropical deforestation is not caused by biofuel production, but rather by pressures from the global demand for food, animal feed, and fuelwood.
Truth: Manufacturing biofuels has a direct impact on tropical deforestation. An estimated 1-2 million hectares of forest are being cut down every year to make way for new oil palm plantations.
7. Biofuels aren’t the only alternative to oil
Myth: There are many alternatives that could be used in place of petroleum, including natural gas, nuclear power, hydrogen, solar, and wind energy. The problem is that the infrastructure required to power our world is based on oil.
Truth: Replacing existing cars with any alternative fuel would be a huge challenge. Biofuels made from waste biomass and algae may have a role in replacing fossil fuels, but finding a sustainable replacement for gasoline will require a combination of different alternatives.
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