Environmental Studies

Our society is extremely dependent on fossil fuels . Fossil fuels are essential sources of energy for electricity and transportation , among other things (Chughtai Shannon , n .d ) In fact , over 85 of our energy demands are met by the combustion of fossil fuels (Chughtai Shannon , n .d ' theless , these fuels are non-renewable (Chughtai Shannon , n .d . This means that eventually , the supply will run out and an energy crisis may occur . Moreover , the combustion of fossil fuels also causes health problems . Research by Chughtai Shannon (n .d ) showed that in 1990 alone , respiratory diseases

were a leading cause of disabilities and illnesses worldwide ' This can be attributed to the dangerous particles released in the air upon the combustion of fossil fuels , which enter the lungs . Thus , the problem is not only about the depletion of this resource , but also the health risks inherent in its use . In this given situation , it is necessary that other sources of energy be found , one that not only answers the problem of energy scarcity , but also addresses the health issues at hand . One of the alternatives spoken of at present is biofuels . This aims to give a definition and of biofuels and other bioenergy sources , to note the scientific , social and legal aspects of it , and to cite realistic suggestions for the future

Before determining what biofuel is , it is important to note what biomass is . What is biomass ? It is any organic material made from plants or animals ( Biomass FAQs ' 2007 ' This can be derived domestically through agricultural and forestry remnants , solid wastes whether municipal or industrial lastly , terrestrial and aquatic crops grown for the purpose of energy consumption ( Biomass FAQs ' 2007 Biomass can be transformed into other forms of energy , and is seen as the likely substitute for petroleum . The fact that biomass is renewable makes it a great alternative , since it is more evenly distributed over the Earth 's surface than are finite energy sources , and may be exploited using more environmentally friendly technologies ( Biomass FAQs 2007 ' The most common resource for biomass is the remnants of mills . It is from these residues that electricity and power are generated aside from that , it is also where industrial process heat and steam originate . Biomass can also be produced through gasification plants , that which discharges gas of carbon monoxide and hydrogen composition ( Biofuels ' n .d

Biofuels are those fuels which are made from biomass . There are several agricultural products that are grown for the sole purpose of biofuel conversion two of which are corn and soybeans . Biomass has inherent energy , and it can be extracted when feedstock raw materials like starch and glucose , are transformed into usable form ( Biomass FAQs ' 2007 . Biomass is immersed in several biochemical or thermochemical processes for it to result into the fuels used for transportation ( Biomass FAQs ' 2007

It was Henry Ford and Rudolph Diesel who initiated the use of biofuels (BBC News , 2007 . Both men designed and created cars and engines which were built to...