Why is biomass a better alternative to oil?

Answer 1

Biomass is a renewable resource.

Answer 2

Biomass, where vegetation is burnt to provide energy (generating electricity, heating, cooking etc) is good because it replaces the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas).

Biomass is carbon neutral. This means it neither adds or subtracts carbon from the atmosphere. When the vegetation for biomass is growing it takes in CO2 from the atmosphere. When it is burnt the same amount of CO2 is released. Carbon neutral!

Fossil fuels release carbon dioxide when they are burnt too, but this is CO2 that has been out of circulation for millions of years, so releasing it now increases the amount of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. This is causing global warming, so any use of renewable and carbon neutral fuel will help slow or stop this dangerous phenomenon.

Answer 3

Processing biomass still uses energy. Mining coal still uses energy. Everything we do to produce fuel, still uses energy. Even using nuclear power, still uses energy. Granted, biomass produces less smoke than a coal fire, but it is the cost to the environment, our health and well being, in the end that matters.

In the UK, wind power, solar and wave power are something to consider.

Answer 4

It's not. Biomass causes lots more carbon emmissions when burned than regular fossil fuels do. Fossil fuels also burn more efficiently.