Biofuels for a Brighter Future

Biofuels, fuel derived from plants, are a promising renewable energy source, especially with climate change on the rise. Expanding the use of biofuels is critical to keep CO2 emissions down and prevent the worsening effects of climate change. When plants grow they absorb CO2 from the air through the process of photosynthesis to  create sugars. These sugars are then fermented to produce biodiesel or bioethanol (Lehman, Selin, et al). The same “CO2  . . . goes back into the atmosphere when the fuels are burned” (Prather, Krol) and will again be used by plants to create sugars. Since the CO2 to be used by the crops offsets the carbon dioxide released when biofuels are burned, they are a carbon-neutral energy source. Additionally, the U.S Department of Energy reports that bioethanol are “fully biodegradable”, meaning that they can naturally break down, while, in comparison, greenhouse gasses from fossil fuels persist in the atmosphere, heating up the planet (U.S Department of Energy. “Biofuels & Greenhouse”). From 2010-2019, 23.1 million families have been displaced from their homes due to extreme weather caused by climate change, necessitating the growth of the biofuel industry (United Nations “Causes and Effects”). As of now, bioenergy use has only increased by three percent every year, however, deployment must expand by eight percent every year in order to reach net zero emission goals by 2030 (International Energy Agency). If action is not taken to scale the biofuel industry and replace the fossil fuel industry, disastrous consequences for humanity seem probable in the light of even higher temperatures. 

Furthermore, people worry that creating biofuels exhaust natural resources and can lead to food shortages, but this issue can be tackled thanks to novel feedstock substitutes. Currently, corn, having an abundant sugar content, is most commonly used to create biofuels. Since growing corn requires a lot of space, concerns are raised about land use and food shortages because the crop is not being used to feed families but instead to create biofuel (Das, Prantika, et al 1). However, alternative feedstocks besides corn are available. For example, a company called Greasezilla is spearheading a project to “transform brown grease waste into biofuel." This approach addresses the food security issue because industrial grease waste is converted into biofuel, reducing the reliance upon corn for biofuel

production. In addition to this, Greasezilla is actively “paving the way for a nationwide solution to manage fats . . . which have historically been incinerated or landfilled” ("Greasezilla partners with bp”). Incineration, or the process of burning waste, releases toxic fumes into the air along with carbon dioxide and its negative effects are more prominently seen in deprived areas (“What are the environmental impacts of waste incineration?”). Therefore, Greasezilla’s creative idea also avoids harmful CO2 emissions from incineration and prevents consequent hardships inflicted on people. Another feedstock option still in the making, is algae, which does not need to be grown on agricultural land and instead can be grown in wastewater, eliminating the food shortage issue. Algae grown in wastewater can also have pollutant remediation benefits and give high yield per acre (U.S Department of Energy “Algal Biofuels”). This proves that with innovation, biofuels can become even more helpful to the environment with the use of alternative feedstocks and their use also dissolves concerns about land use.

Growth in the biofuel industry will also create many job opportunities to ease the transition away from fossil fuels. Concerns exist about high unemployment if fossil fuel industries shut down, especially since they offer workers a respectable salary with lower educational requirements (Tomer, Kane, et al). Although this is true, the biofuel industry will compensate for those losses by providing jobs requiring a similar skillbase, such as in construction, plant operations, and agriculture (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). By 2030, five million jobs could be lost in fossil fuel production and about fourteen new million jobs can be created in the clean energy sector (United Nations “Renewable energy”). This is  a net gain of nine million jobs ensuring that although there may be a decrease in fossil fuel jobs, opportunities in clean energy, such as 400,000 new jobs in the biofuel industry by 2030, will outweigh the loss (Winters, Paul). Renewable energy has already had a positive impact on employment in six U.S. states by the year 2022, so it seems likely that growth of bioenergy can increase this number (Saboori, Gholipour, et al 1). 

Additionally, current worries about high costs of biofuel are bound to disappear because scientists are finding ways to make biofuels cheaper. Conventional biofuels range $3.50 to $5 per gallon, but a company in Florida has manufactured biodiesel for about $1.10 per gallon and jet biofuel for under $2 per gallon (Machi, Vivienne 1). This is significant progress because commonly used gasoline costs $3.11 on average in 2024 (U.S Energy Information Administration). Since biofuels are capable of becoming less expensive than fossil fuels, they offer a clear advantage of accessibility. Also, if  “waste and low quality feedstocks” are utilized, “substantially lower feedstock costs” can result, driving overall prices down even more (U.S Department of Energy “Integrated Strategies”). Moreover, the government has initiated the Biomass Crop Assistance Program providing “financial assistance to landowners and operators that establish, produce, and deliver biomass feedstock crops” (U.S. Department of Energy “Biodiesel Laws”). Since the management and transportation of feedstock is a major expense in biofuel production, these policies help bring down costs considerably.

It is vital to expand the use of all renewable energy sources in order to combat climate change and surely, carbon neutral biofuels should not be excluded from this pursuit. The growth of the biofuel industry can secure a more prosperous future for people’s lives both environmentally and economically. 

Works Cited

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