Biofuels cause Controversy

This week’s town hall meeting discussion caused many to question the use of biofuels. Government officials, NGOs, scientists, and farmers, all were present to give their two cents on the issue. The main focus of the this week’s meeting was whether or not we should use ethanol as proper replacement for petroleum. Those in favour of biofuels, such as of Government officials, scientists and farmers, argued that ethanol or biofuels in general burn cleaner decreasing carbon dioxide emissions, are sustainable and provide a solution to the rising costs of gasoline. However, those against the use of biofuels (NGOs, local farmers, and scientists) argued that the disadvantages greatly outweighed the advantages. They questioned the ethics behind using land for fuel for our vehicles rather than using that same land to put food in our mouths. They suggested on decreasing funding on biofuels and putting those funds towards new renewable sources such as solar or wind energy. However, as those in favour of biofuels rebutted, those renewable sources  would require more land usage to build the infrastructure necessary to accommodate those renewable sources and the costs for these sources are just not viable. The Pros also argued that the ethanol can be used directly in cars in a mixture with gasoline without citizens having to change engine or upgrading their vehicle. As of now its seems like the only option we’ve got in finding a solution towards our depleting oil reserves are biofuels.