Comments on: UK Biofuel Policy “Insane” – Senior Government Scientist

By: My Local Van Hire

My Local Van Hire — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:34:21 +0000

Thanks for your comment, you make some good points, but I’d like to comment on a couple of them:

1. Growing crops to produce oils for fuel use can and does affect food prices because some of the land used to grow the fuel crops was previously used to grow food crops. This means that less food is grown and food prices rise. It doesn’t matter whether the oils are edible or non-edible – the point is that lots of farmers (in the USA, for example) have switched their agricultural land from food crops to fuel crops, resulting in a reduced supply of certain food crops. This means that rich western countries will import the missing food from poorer countries. The result is that the price of food rises in the poorest countries. The west doesn’t suffer, even though it causes the problem.

2. Deforestation and change of land use to create palm oil plantations is an issue that should concern us because of the effect it has on the environment as a whole. I agree that many western countries don’t care about this and are happy to buy cheap palm oil – but I believe they should care. You are completely right that the same western countries would not welcome the suggestion that they should stop using private cars and travel by bus everywhere!

By: LUCAS ROSARIO

LUCAS ROSARIO — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:09:12 +0000

Sir,
There are many articles on biofuels, and many contradictions, when edible oils are used to produce biodiesel it has an effect of food prices, not when non-edible oils are used.
Ethanol uses agri crops that are edible hence it has effect on the food sector. the solution is to use non edible oils from developing countries so that it will be economical and subsidies will not be required.
When Biodiesel is produced using jatropha oil seeds the energy used is less that 5% the pollution reduced is very large, most comments are based on a particular situation that is causing the confusion.
As for clearing forests to plant palm which will give the people an income is that countries sovereign decision why are other commenting about it. If they in turn ask the developed countries to use public transport and avoid private cars are you willing to take that suggestion.

By: Biodiesel. Anyone use it? - Ceroc Scotland Forum

Biodiesel. Anyone use it? - Ceroc Scotland Forum — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:47:29 +0000

[...] Originally Posted by Magic Hans As for Gav’s 2.5% of all fuel being a bio source, I’m afraid that I don’t believe it. Again from the website Call me cynical, but I’ll believe it on seeing a statement that is more than an intention In general I’d agree with your cynicism, but in this case it’s not just an intention, it’s been a legal requirement since 15th April this year under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation. Of course this also generates its own environmental concerns – see UK Biofuel Policy

By: Van Hire

Van Hire — Wed, 28 May 2008 06:36:32 +0000

My understanding has always been that biodiesel is a specific type of biofuel, designed for diesel engines. A general debate about these types of fuel should probably use the term biofuels.

I agree that the terms sometimes seem to be freely interchanged.

The main issue is the environmental sacrifices and economic impact (on food production) required to produce biofuels in large and cost-effective quanties. I think it’s fair to say that these issues apply fairly equally to all biofuels – whether biodiesel, bioethanol or something else.

Hope this helps clarify things a litle.

By: S Greenwood

S Greenwood — Tue, 27 May 2008 22:42:40 +0000

Does this article refer to biofuels or biodiesel as from my own research and interpretation there is a vast difference? Any clarification would be greatly appreciated as the whole debate seems to be somewhat muddled and very much so to laymen such as myself.