Analyzing GHG Emissions from Biofuels
A new study published in a recent issue of the Science magazine found that using biofuels increases emissions of greenhouse gases when the impact of land converted to cropland is included.
The analysis found that using corn-based ethanol doubles greenhouse gas emissions over 30 years and increases emissions for 167 years. Biofuels from switchgrass that are grown on U.S. corn land increase emissions by 50%, it said.
"Most prior studies have found that substituting biofuels for gasoline will reduce greenhouse gases because biofuels sequester carbon through the growth of the feedstock," according to a brief summary of the study posted on the Science website.
"These analyses have failed to count the carbon emissions that occur as farmers worldwide respond to higher prices and convert forest and grassland to new cropland to replace the grain (or cropland) diverted to biofuels."
Aruvian's R'search analyzes the two sides of this ongoing debate. While some scientists claim that biofuels give rise to GHG emissions, others argue that biofuels aid in mitigating global warming. Aruvian analyzes points in favor of biofuels and those against them. In this in-depth analysis, the report also covers the basics of biofuels, information about greenhouse gases and global warming, and of course, the present ongoing debate.
The analysis found that using corn-based ethanol doubles greenhouse gas emissions over 30 years and increases emissions for 167 years. Biofuels from switchgrass that are grown on U.S. corn land increase emissions by 50%, it said.
"Most prior studies have found that substituting biofuels for gasoline will reduce greenhouse gases because biofuels sequester carbon through the growth of the feedstock," according to a brief summary of the study posted on the Science website.
"These analyses have failed to count the carbon emissions that occur as farmers worldwide respond to higher prices and convert forest and grassland to new cropland to replace the grain (or cropland) diverted to biofuels."
Aruvian's R'search analyzes the two sides of this ongoing debate. While some scientists claim that biofuels give rise to GHG emissions, others argue that biofuels aid in mitigating global warming. Aruvian analyzes points in favor of biofuels and those against them. In this in-depth analysis, the report also covers the basics of biofuels, information about greenhouse gases and global warming, and of course, the present ongoing debate.
A. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
B. WHAT ARE BIOFUELS?
B.1 History of Biofuels
B.2 Major Biofuels
B.3 Uses of Biofuels
B.4 What are Direct Biofuels?
B.5 Looking at Biobutanol
B.6 Looking at Ethanol & Biodiesel
B.6.1 Ethanol
B.6.2 Biodiesel
B.7 Pros & Cons of Biofuels
B.8 Future of Biofuels
C. ECONOMICS OF BIOFUELS
C.1 Feedstock Costs
C.2 Processing Costs
C.3 Cost of Sales & Use
C.4 Overall Cost
C.5 Retail Cost & Tax Incentives
D. IMPACT OF BIOFUELS
D.1 Policy Impact on Biofuels
D.1 Environmental & Economic Impact of Biofuels
D.1 Impact on Engines
D.1 Impact on Rural Development
E. METAMORPHOSIS OF THE ENERGY INDUSTRY & BIOFUELS
F. ANALYZING GREENHOUSE GASES
F.1 What are Greenhouse Gases
F.2 The Greenhouse Effect
F.1 Climate Change – Resultant Reality of Human Activity
F.2 The Kyoto Protocol – Too Little Too Late?
F.3 The Electricity - GHG Emission Relationship
F.4 Emission Reduction – Commercial Impact
F.5 GHG Reduction – Lacking Mandate Muscle
F.6 Review of Past Voluntary Emission Reduction Plans
G. DRIVING VOLUNTARY EMISSION REDUCTION – INDIRECT IMPULSES
G.1 Applying Regulatory Examination
G.2 Public Interest Litigations
G.3 Mobilized Public Focus
G.4 Incentivized Reduction Plans
H. ANALYZING WHY BIOFUELS POSE A THREAT TO GLOBAL WARMING?
H.1 Introduction
H.2 Biofuels are leading to Deforestation
H.3 Impact of Biofuels on the Climate System
H.4 Lack of Biodiversity
H.5 Role of Industrial Agriculture
H.6 Role of Second-Generation Agrofuels
H.7 Geographically Concentrated Growth of Biofuels in the World
H.8 Impact of Biofuels on Food Security & Food Sovereignty
H.9 Rise in Hunger & Number of Refugees
H.10 Government Policies Aiding Destruction Caused by Biofuels
H.11 Destruction Caused to the Ecosystem
I. ANALYZING HOW BIOFUELS ARE AIDING IN SUSTAINING THE REDUCTION OF GHG EMISSIONS
I.1 Introduction
I.2 Biofuels are Renewable Sources of Energy
I.3 Biofuels have a Positive Energy Balance
I.4 Carbon Neutrality of Biofuels
I.5 Being the Future Fuel for Transportation
J. ANALYZING THE IMPACT OF BIOMASS FUEL ENERGY BUDGETS
J.1 Introduction
J.2 Biomass Fuel Energy Budgets
J.3 GHG Budget for Biofuels
J.4 Conclusion
K. APPENDIX
L. GLOSSARY OF TERMS
B. WHAT ARE BIOFUELS?
B.1 History of Biofuels
B.2 Major Biofuels
B.3 Uses of Biofuels
B.4 What are Direct Biofuels?
B.5 Looking at Biobutanol
B.6 Looking at Ethanol & Biodiesel
B.6.1 Ethanol
B.6.2 Biodiesel
B.7 Pros & Cons of Biofuels
B.8 Future of Biofuels
C. ECONOMICS OF BIOFUELS
C.1 Feedstock Costs
C.2 Processing Costs
C.3 Cost of Sales & Use
C.4 Overall Cost
C.5 Retail Cost & Tax Incentives
D. IMPACT OF BIOFUELS
D.1 Policy Impact on Biofuels
D.1 Environmental & Economic Impact of Biofuels
D.1 Impact on Engines
D.1 Impact on Rural Development
E. METAMORPHOSIS OF THE ENERGY INDUSTRY & BIOFUELS
F. ANALYZING GREENHOUSE GASES
F.1 What are Greenhouse Gases
F.2 The Greenhouse Effect
F.1 Climate Change – Resultant Reality of Human Activity
F.2 The Kyoto Protocol – Too Little Too Late?
F.3 The Electricity - GHG Emission Relationship
F.4 Emission Reduction – Commercial Impact
F.5 GHG Reduction – Lacking Mandate Muscle
F.6 Review of Past Voluntary Emission Reduction Plans
G. DRIVING VOLUNTARY EMISSION REDUCTION – INDIRECT IMPULSES
G.1 Applying Regulatory Examination
G.2 Public Interest Litigations
G.3 Mobilized Public Focus
G.4 Incentivized Reduction Plans
H. ANALYZING WHY BIOFUELS POSE A THREAT TO GLOBAL WARMING?
H.1 Introduction
H.2 Biofuels are leading to Deforestation
H.3 Impact of Biofuels on the Climate System
H.4 Lack of Biodiversity
H.5 Role of Industrial Agriculture
H.6 Role of Second-Generation Agrofuels
H.7 Geographically Concentrated Growth of Biofuels in the World
H.8 Impact of Biofuels on Food Security & Food Sovereignty
H.9 Rise in Hunger & Number of Refugees
H.10 Government Policies Aiding Destruction Caused by Biofuels
H.11 Destruction Caused to the Ecosystem
I. ANALYZING HOW BIOFUELS ARE AIDING IN SUSTAINING THE REDUCTION OF GHG EMISSIONS
I.1 Introduction
I.2 Biofuels are Renewable Sources of Energy
I.3 Biofuels have a Positive Energy Balance
I.4 Carbon Neutrality of Biofuels
I.5 Being the Future Fuel for Transportation
J. ANALYZING THE IMPACT OF BIOMASS FUEL ENERGY BUDGETS
J.1 Introduction
J.2 Biomass Fuel Energy Budgets
J.3 GHG Budget for Biofuels
J.4 Conclusion
K. APPENDIX
L. GLOSSARY OF TERMS
