Take a Closer Look: Biofuels Can Support Environmental, Economic and Social Goals

by Bruce E. Dale, James E. Anderson, Robert C. Brown, Steven Csonka⊥ Virginia H. Dale, Gary Herwick, Randall D. Jackson, Nicholas Jordan, Stephen Kaﬀka, Keith L. Kline, Lee R. Lynd, Carolyn Malmstrom, Rebecca G. Ong, Tom L. Richard, Caroline Taylor, and Michael Q. Wang (Environmental Science & Technology) The U.S. Congress passed the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) seven years ago. Since then, biofuels have gone from darling to scapegoat for many environmentalists, policy makers, and the general public. The reasons for this shift are complex and include concerns about environmental degradation, uncertainties about impact on food security, new access to fossil fuels, and overly optimistic timetables. As a result, many people have written oﬀ biofuels. However, numerous studies indicate that biofuels, if managed sustainably, can help solve pressing environmental, social, and economic problems (Figure 1). The scientiﬁc and policy communities should take a closer look by reviewing the key assumptions underlying opposition to biofuels and carefully consider the probable alternatives.
Liquid fuels based on fossil raw materials are likely to come at increasing environmental cost. Sustainable futures require energy conservation, increased eﬃciency, and alternatives to fossil fuels, including biofuels.
... Indigenous biofuel production increases energy security. Producing perennial biofuel feedstocks can improve water and soil quality, biodiversity, and wildlife habitat...
Because photosynthesis consumes CO2 and because perennial crops can accumulate soil carbon, biofuel production and utilization can be carbon neutral and even reduce net atmospheric CO2.
...
The authors of this article have diﬀering perspectives and expertise, but we all recognize that sustainably deployed biofuels can contribute to solving challenging problems, including food and energy security, climate change and environmental degradation caused by current agricultural and forestry practices. While the desirable outcomes of sustainable biofuel production and use are not guaranteed, they are certainly achievable. In contrast, we cannot see how continued massive reliance on liquid fuels from fossil materials can achieve positive environmental outcomes, especially higher-carbon options such as oil sands, deep water drilling, natural gas-to-liquids and coal conversion. Thus, biofuels deserve a closer look. Sustainably deployed biofuels help can help society achieve many “win-wins” by supporting important environmental, economic and social goals. READ MORE