Biofuels or biorganic fuels are a scientific name for any plant or animal substance that can burn.. Biofuels are an alternative to gasoline or petrol. Biofuels are considered by some as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing energy security by providing an alternative to oil and gasoline. There is however, a downside to this type of energy.A major criticism against biomass, particularly against large-scale fuel production, is that it could divert agricultural production away from food crops, especially in developing countries. Therefore there is considerable debate on the use of biofuels and their place in our society.
Ethanol has a long history as a fuel, including as a fuel for internal combustion engines. Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, drinking alcohol or grain alcohol, is a flammable, colorless chemical compound, and is best known as the alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. The largest single use of ethanol is as a motor fuel and fuel additive. The largest national fuel ethanol industries exist in Brazil. Compared to gasoline, ethanol cuts poisonous gas emissions (carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides, sulfur dioxide) and produces fewer greenhouse gases that cause global climate change. Added to gasoline, ethanol also reduces ground-level ozone formation by lowering volatile organic compound and hydrocarbon emissions, decreasing carcinogenic benzene, and butadiene, emissions, and particulate matter emissions from gasoline combustion. In North America, ethanol is presently made principally from corn and wheat. Ethanol can be produced for different applications, for example, industrial ethanol or fuel grade ethanol. Research into technology to produce ethanol from non-food sources is advancing rapidly and is close to commercialization.
The world is running out of wheat because too many wheat farmers have switched to growing corn for ethanol production. Add to that the cost of transporting food, droughts, flooding, and ug99, we have a scenario where food prices will climb drastically. Are we ready?
Should we be using our Food supply to fuel our Cars?