Bio-fuel in Transportation

With increasing energy scarcity all of the world, a new kind of energy resource---biofuel becomes a most popular research topic to replace the fossil fuel. According to the report by GlobalData Company, the biofuel accounts for about 41.9% of total diesel market in the first decade from 21^st century. As there are many cars in the urban areas, it can easily reduce the greenhouse emission generation. However, the sharply increasing of biofuel also brings many negative impacts on some areas at the same time. Because biofuel is produced by crops, the large demands of crops make the food price increase. In this article, it will focus on the challenges which biofuel faced. And it also will show the advantages of biofuel.

There are many challenges for biofuel. First of all, the field for growing crops to produce biofuel will occupy a large area. And in some regions and counties, farmers may damage the forest to get the cropland. It has a huge negative impact on the local environment. Moreover, food shortage may become an issue with biofuel product.

Because the valuable cropland is limited, the increasing demand for biofuel may have an impact on the cost of food, even cause the food shortage. In addition, although biofuel is a renewable energy, the water use for irrigation may strain local water resources. These challenges cannot deny, but many researchers do much effort to study this field to solve these problems.

Besides these challenges and problems, there are also many advantages of biofuel. Firstly, the price of biofuel is significantly cheaper than fossil fuel. This is because of the fossil fuel shortage, and the source of biofuel is renewable. Secondly, biofuel can be produced locally. This character makes the biofuel become popular in some counties which do not have many resources of fossil fuel. Thirdly, with the rising number of cars in many cities, using biofuel can significantly reduce the greenhouse emission generation. If a city can reduce greenhouse emission generation, the problem of urban heat island effect can be solved. Finally, the biofuel market can supply thousands employment opportunity which is good for society. In addition, the increasing demand for biofuel also will raise that of crops. It can provide economic stimulation to the agriculture industry.

In conclusion, I believe that biofuel will bring us a lot of benefits. Although there are many challenges of biofuel, the advantages are more than disadvantages. Because of the energy shortage, especially the fossil fuel, biofuel can replace it. And its performance is better than fossil fuel. In light of these reasons, the biofuel should be encouraged to develop in the world. On the other hand, the scientists should find a better technology to produce biofuel so that the impact on environment can be reduced.

Reference:

[1] Dawson C, Vincent JFV, Jeronimidis G, Rice G, Forshaws P. Heat transfer through Penguin feathers. Journal of Theoretical Biology 1999;0959:291–5.