Recent research has inferred that BioFuel production and use may increase Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas emissions. They feel this may happen because land use practices, cut and burn practices and substitution of ground cover with crops that are less efficient in gas exchange are negating the positive effects of the cleaner fuel source.
Contextual Information – This picture was taken from a web site that promotes BioFuel development and use. http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html and land use implications
Sunflower oil is just one sustainable source of BioFuel but it takes a good deal of process
ing to be used in motor vehicles.Contextual Information
This is an image depicting the BioFuel cycle including the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
It was copied from the U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute (DOE JGI) website: http://www.jgi.doe.gov/education/bioenergy/
Other Photo Sources
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wak1/660921867/in/pool-288376@N25
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wooscary/2055165327/in/pool-99701514@N00
BioFuels are a very controversial topic in this era as we are bombarded with information about fuel and energy consumption. There are several crops that are currently targeted as sources for Bio-diesel or ethanol. These include corn, soybeans, switch grass, sunflower, rice, canola, and cellulose sources.
Many farmers in the US have converted their crop production from human and animal directed consumption to production to fuel source. This has drawn criticism and predictions that dependence on these fuel sources may deplete food resources. Many environmentalists want researchers to tap to existing sources for cellulose-based energy such as residue from forestry. They want to maximize use of resources already being harvested.
The implications of BioFuel production reach well beyond the obvious environmental impacts of conversion or remaining on a fossil fuel based system. Economic advantages would include reduced need for pollution “clean-up” over the long term as well as short-term spurts in industry and employment as the research and conversion happens.
Social implications are also important to consider.
Teaching with these resources
This material serves as a start for debate about BioFuels and investigation into non-combustible forms of alternative energy sources.
If designed properly a unit could be applied to sustainable resource discussion covering land use and transportation issues, and international energy policies, and environmental degradation in the name of fuel production.
Additionally students could trace societal and industrial changes that occurred throughout history as new energy sources or materials resources became available. They could look at implications of harvest and use across the social studies disciplines.
Pa Standards potentially addressed include:
Environment and Ecology:
4.2 Renewable and Nonrenewable resources
4.4 Agriculture and Society
4.8 Humans and The environment
4.9 Environmental Laws and their Impact
Economics:
6.2 Markets and the Functions of Governments
6.2 Scarcity and Choice
6.4 Economic Interdependence
Geography:
7.2 The Physical Characteristics of Places and Regions
7.4 The Human Characteristics of Places and Region
History:
8.1 Historic Analysis and Skills Development
8.3 US History
8.4 World History
Students could also investigate other way to reduce energy consumption as opposed to replacing fuel sources.
Key Article to utilize…
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/1151861
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