The problems with biofuels

Biofuels, that is the production of oil replacements from plants, were seen a year or so ago as a product which would help us out of the climate change and peak oil crisis. Today the 'miracle cure' of biofuels is looking less and like like a magic bullet.

On the 14th January this year te Guardian carried an article - Biofuels may not deliver CO2 cuts scientists warn. This was based on a recent report by the Royal Society no less Sustainable biofuels challenges and prospects. The author of the report Professor John Pickett gave an interview about his report highlighting the issues and dangers.

In essence growing the wrong types of crop to produce biofuels may impact on biodiversity detrimentally and may take farmland used to produce food out of production (see the Guardian 4th Jan 08). We may end up with lots of fuel for our cars but end up living in a world with no nature and nothing to eat!

The UK, European and world policies on biofuels need really careful consideration and if we get the policy wrong we may end up in a worst position than we already find ourselves. BiofuelWatch is an excellent website which gives the global perspective.

Finally there is an excellent article in the current edition of Ecos on biofuels by Andrew Boswell of BiofuelWatch.