Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog » Biofuels use Could Worsen Global Warming

February 9, 2008

Biofuels use Could Worsen Global Warming

The biofuels themselves produce less greenhouse gases than fossil fuels, but not nearly enough to offset the carbon dioxide that is released when land is cleared and plowed up to produce crops, the studies said. Carbon dioxide is one of the leading contributors to global warming.

One of the studies released Thursday by the journal Science estimated that ethanol would nearly double the greenhouse emissions over a 30-year period if the impact of land conversion is taken into account.

by curiouscat Tags: Energy, Science, Students
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2 Responses to “Biofuels use Could Worsen Global Warming”

Everett Says:
February 12th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
I don’t think ethanol is the answer either, although it would certainly give the agricultural industry in the US (and South America) a much needed booster shot. But I would also be careful of lumping all “bio” fuels together. I am a big supporter of Bio Diesel and wouldn’t want people thinking it produced more carbon emissions than standard petrol.
Clement Says:
July 5th, 2008 at 10:07 am
I think it is too early to make this sort of conclusion. More studies have to be done on this issue. It is also wrong to generalize the results of a study that only considered ethanol.There are several other sources of biodiesel e.g. jatropha which are a lot different from ethanol.