Environmental costs
An important consideration as the use of biofuels becomes more widespread is the competition of land for food crops with land for energy crops. The effect on biodiversity in terms of vegetation and animal habitats is another essential consideration. These issues have had extensive coverage.
Related Links
Fuelling a food crisis?
A detailed discussion from Green Party MEP on how biofuels could drive up food prices
Global rush to energy crops brings food shortage
This article from the Guardian describes how the global rush to change from fossil fuels to energy crops could lead to serious food shortages and deforestation
WWF report on bioenergy from a nature protection viewpoint
The World Wildlife Fund have produced a document discussing the sociological and ecological impacts of bioenergy including deforestation and soil degradation. Of note is Section 2.1 on p 10 Land use, Land availability and Land Use Conflicts which considers habitat degradation, loss of rare species, extinction. The study provides many useful facts and figures including projected bioenergy demand in 2050. Also included are case studies covering bioethanol in Brazil, soy expansion in South America and palm oil production in Malaysia.
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