Biofuels Production as a Means of Ensuring Global Energy Security and Sustainable Development-An Overview (original) (raw)

Electronic Journal of Environmental, Agricultural and Food Chemistry

This article reports an overview of waste utilization and the biofuel production as a means for sustainable energy supply. The energy crisis that most developed and developing countries are experincing resulted in severe shortages, and a sharp increase in the prices of high demand oil-based products, notably petrol/gasoline. These have also increased interest from governments and academics in energy issues and biofuels. The drivers for biofuel research and development in any nation include rising oil prices, concerns over the potential oil peak, greenhouse gas emissions which causes global warming and climate change, rural development interests, and instability in the Middle East. Sustainable biofuel production practices would not hamper food and fibre production, nor cause water or environmental problems, and would actually enhance soil fertitlity. Therefore, using biofuels to replace a proportion of the fossil fuels that are burned for transportation can reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions. The effect of future biofuel market expansions on agriculture should also be monitored. Responsible poliCies and economic instruments would help to ensure that biofuel commercialization, including the development of new cellulosic technologies, is sustainable. Responsible commercialization of biofuels represents an opportunity to enhance sustainable economic prospects in Africa, Latin America and impoverished Asia.

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