Pros and cons of using biodiesel?

Answer 1

Biodiesel has been controversial. I've include 4 links that explain the issues with biodiesel and biofuels in general.

First, the pros

1. It works. A mix of diesel and biodiesel may be necessary on some cars. It can be used in buses and trains. Use of biodiesel has been increasing.

2. We have a limited supply of fossil fuels. The ability to "grow our energy" extends the lifetime of our natural resources.

3. Biodiesel burns cleaner than regular diesel, based on particulates from tail-pipe emissions (see wikipedia link on environmental problems).

4. We must import oil, and this creates a dependence on other countries. It would be devastating to our economy if any country cut us off from this supply. So, biodiesel adds to our energy security.

5. Adding to the supply of fuels should help moderate prices of these fuels by making them less scarce commodities.

6. Biodiesel is good for farmers around the world. It is an additional crop they can grow.

Now, the cons,

1. Converting crops into biofuels will mean that less of there will be less available produce to feed people. This drives up the price of food. One crop in particular is soybeans, which is used as animal feedstock. So as soybeans become more valuable to make fuels, meat prices will increase.

2. Biodiesel (or more generally biofuels) means that there will be extensive deforestation in tropical areas such as the Amazon rainforest to grow sugar cane and soybeans for biofuels. This will have a large impact on environment and CO2 emissions. CO2 pollution is linked to global warming. Thus some environmentalists are calling biodiesel a worse alternative than natural diesel.

3. The increase in palm oil farms in Asia has lead to use of pesticides and contamination of drinking water supplies. (see wikipedia link)

4. Biodiesel is not a cleaner fuel to burn. It produces 10% more nitrogen oxide tail pipe emissions than diesel. (see Wikipedia link on environmental issues).

5. Promoters of biofuels have created a false impression of an easy solution to energy needs. Due to all the problems they cause, these fuels can not satisfy our needs.

I suggest that you read through the links provided. Perhaps there are more pros and cons. Certainly, the question of whether biodiesel burns cleaner is a difficult one.

Good luck!

:)

Biodiesel is less pollutive.

It is safer to handle

:(

It is more expensive at the moment

Not approved by all auto dealers