To the point in your comment, I was maintaining that burning biodiesel is carbon neutral, not biofuels as a whole. To some degree your push back still makes some sense with biodiesel as well although I’m not willing to concede that the transportation and production impact is as heavy as the alternatives. Biodiesel is often a more local endeavor certainly than fossil fuel production; backyard even.

As I thought about this further I realized that my perspective is considerably more narrow than that of this post and the mentioned articles. I am inclined to speak about biodiesel typically resulting from reclamation of McGrease and my enthusiasm stems from that root. That said, I also realize that biodiesel in this context is not a global solution. I suspect not even Americans eat enough fries to satiate our fuel needs relying on waste fat alone.

As the dust settles after reading these articles, I am still reluctant to throw out biofuels as a viable alternative. It seems to me the issues put forward are still more manageable than those surrounding fossil fuels and especially as a means to help wean us from them.

So, I guess I now consider myself better prepared to ask more questions. I do also feel even more inclined to go ahead with plans to move away from fossil fuel.

Now, while biofuels are not clean, biodiesel is carbon neutral and with the efficiency of new generation engines and the reduced levels of particulate matter, the use of catalytic converters will soon be a possibility where they were not before.

See… this is the problem. Biofuels are NOT carbon neutral, at least not when you consider the growing, production, and distribution of the fuel.

You should probably read the Time article, which will inform that conversation.

This article, from Mother Jones, is also an excellent resource.

Hydrogen has been ‘just around the corner’ for years. Could it be little more than modern day alchemy? The solar/battery option is sexy, but introduces increased materials ultimately requiring special disposal/recycling and the associated environmental/fiscal impact. Now, while biofuels are not clean, biodiesel is carbon neutral and with the efficiency of new generation engines and the reduced levels of particulate matter, the use of catalytic converters will soon be a possibility where they were not before. This combination has the potential to provide transportation much cleaner that the fossil fuel option; and renewable; and carbon neutral…

Now regarding the economics of increased biofuel usage and the effect on the food supply, why is the assumption one of cheap fuel and expensive food. Is it not more logical to suggest either cheap fuel and continued cheap food? Consider transportation cost on our fuel supply; it is not an insignificant impact. But, even if it means more expensive food (and fuel), I say amen! Bring it on! One of the greatest moral issues of our American ’system’ is cheap food and the dumping of excess onto international markets that subsequently price the local producer out of competition. Cultures where corn is at the heart of their existence can no longer afford to grow and sell the crop within their own local markets.

The truth of the matter is that sugarcane is much more efficient for the production of biofuels. Thing is the US does not monopolize the sugarcane production to the degree we do corn. Might we be looking at a shift in possession of resources. Consider Argentina where 80% of their domestic fuel consumption is now biofuel. Biofuel made from their own crops using their own processing and not that of large offshore concerns.

Are biofuels the ultimate answer? Likely not. But it is certainly a thoughtful step in weaning from fossil fuels and may have an inadvertent, yet very just, impact on conditions overall.

…I do realize that I may just be full of methane ;-)

People think that Natural=Safe. Bio-fuels seems safe because they are made from corn.

Solar seemed like the way to go but batteries are way expensive still (there are guys working on that).

I think that the future depends on the hydrogen fuel cell unless we can come up with something better (We probably will. We usually do).