Biofuel Development in Latin American and the CaribbeanMaster's Thesis from the year 2008 in the subject Environmental Sciences, grade: 100%, Brandenburg Technical University Cottbus, course: Environmental and Resource Management, language: English, abstract: In the light of availability concerns and environmental implications of fossil fuels, attached with the remarkable rise in the price of oil during the past several years; biofuels are getting a significant increase in interest worldwide from governments, private investors, farmers and the public in general. Nevertheless, the use of cropland for biofuels had become a very controversial topic. On one hand, promoters state that biofuels represent opportunities to increase the energy security and to generate environmental and social benefits (through greenhouse gases emissions reductions and poverty alleviation through rural development respectively). On the other hand, topics such as the effects on food prices and availability, soil fertility and erosion, competition for scarce land and water resources and biodiversity loss are also widely discussed as important concerns related to further development of bioenergy. Notwithstanding this, several developing countries around the world are turning into the biofuels direction to satisfy the demand of developed countries while contributing to their economical growth and/or diversifying their current options of energetic arrangements. For Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), a geographical area with privileged natural resources; home-grown energy crops emerge as an appealing possibility, especially given the example of Brazil, a historical leader in ethanol production. After assessing some core elements of the biofuel's debate, the evidence seems to suggest that biofuels may represent a valuable source of renewable energy. Nonetheless, in order to represent a promise to the LAC region, local governments will be required to firmly normalize land use and agricultural activities, while cautiously shaping public policies. Whe |
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According addition agricultural areas Available benefits biodiesel bioenergy biofuel production biomass blend Brazil Brazilian carbon Caribbean cause cellulose Central America Chapter climate Colombia considered consumed consumption converted corn costs countries crops demand depend diesel domestic economic effects efficiency emissions energy crops environmental estimated ethanol production expansion exports farmers feedstock Figure fossil fuels fuel gasoline global growing growth hectares higher impacts important increase industry Institute July June LAC region land Last access Latin America lead litres materials mentioned Mexico million million litres natural gas Nevertheless NNEC noted opportunities organic percent plants Policy potential Programme projects promote quoted recent reduction region renewable risks Rothkopf rural significant soil sources sugar cane sugarcane suggested supply sustainable Table tons transport United vehicles waste World