Biofuels Remain Popular As World Seeks Clean, Renewable Energy Sources
Why are biofuels so popular?
It’s a question that more and more people are asking, now that society has begun to shy away from traditional fossil fuels. The word “fuel” may have negative connotations, but biofuels have long been touted as an incredible alternative to environmentally-detrimental fuels.
Biofuel popularity can be traced back to the oil crisis of the 70s when ethanol and biodiesel became viable alternatives. The staying-power of biofuel increased under President Jimmy Carter when OPEC put pressure on the United States.
The popularity can be boiled down to two words: Energy Independence. If America could harness its vast agricultural landscape to produce raw materials used in biofuel production, America could become self-sufficient. The idea was popular with environmentalists, who wanted to move away from pollutants, and who saw the power of renewable, sustainable, and risk-reducing energy. With more biofuel being used, the need for coal-mining and risk of oil spills decreased.
Farmers were also on board with biofuels, as grain crops are the main “ingredient” in ethanol and biodiesel. The 70s proved to be a difficult time for farmers due to low commodity prices, so the idea of a two-in-one fuel and agriculture solution was welcome.
The problem with biofuels at the time was the need for much more crop production and a reliance on natural gas and fossil fuels for driving the biofuel manufacturing process. It seemed like the solution wouldn’t be a simple one.
Today, biofuels are as diverse as can be. Farmers aren’t experiencing as much pressure to produce exponential amounts of corn and crops, as new sources for biofuels have been discovered. One of the most promising is algae—the collection of which can mitigate aquatic plant blooms caused by climate change, enable the use of hydropower alongside of biofuel, and serve as an affordable and scalable biofuel resource.
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John Kaweske of Colorado Springs is a biodiesel fuel and technology expert. As President of Bio Clean Energy, S.A., he draws from 20 years of professional experience to offer valuable insight into the industry. When he isn’t working on clean energy efforts, he’s spending time with his family and practicing daily meditation.
