One of the most significant advantages of biofuels compared to other fuels is that biofuels are renewable. As long as the soil remains adequately fertilized, biofuel crops can be replanted and harvested each year. This stands in contrast to fossil fuels like oil and natural gas, which take millions of years to form. Scientists like Dr. King Hubbard have argued we are now in a period of "peak oil," in which oil production is taxing oil resources almost to full capacity. Intensive extraction has significantly reduced our limited reserves of fossil fuels.
Biofuels burn cleaner than more traditional fuels, and are nontoxic. The British government released a 2009 report that said biofuel carbon emissions are 50 to 60 percent lower than regular petroleum. Another benefit is that sulfur content in biofuels is very low, and the fuel produces nearly 100 percent less sulfur dioxide than petroleum. However, biofuel production causes carbon emissions in more subtle ways. The energy it takes to grow, harvest, process and transport biofuels reduces the benefits of lower carbon emissions. Even taking into account the total carbon emissions of biofuels, the alternative fuel is still cleaner than more widely used alternatives like oil and coal.
Currently, the U.S. imports more than 60 percent of its oil, and much of that comes from unstable or unfriendly countries. Biofuels can be grown locally, reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil. Although domestic oil drilling is another option for improving oil security, unexploited reserves are low and drilling threatens pristine environments in Alaska and offshore.
A familiar refrain in the biofuel debate is the issue of food vs. fuel. Using food products for energy reduces the supply of staple crops, which drives up prices. Environmental writer Paul Lucas estimates that "around 100 million people are at risk due to the food price increases," especially in developing countries. Biofuels advocates counter that the food vs. fuel debate is too simplistic: Biofuels can be made from many nonessential crops and plant byproducts, such as sugarcane, beets and vegetable oil.
Environmentalists worry that large-scale production of biofuel crops will undermine biodiversity, making large swathes of land vulnerable to pests and disease. Another concern is that biofuel production severely taxes regional water resources. Ethanol-producing plants use between 3 and 4 gallons of water to produce 1 gallon of fuel. Brooke Barton, a manager for climate change watchdog Ceres, has warned that "biofuels are off the charts in water consumption. We're definitely looking at something where the cure may be worse than the disease."
