Summary of 2 articles.

In my preparation for roundtable discussion and the writing assignment 2, I have done various researches on the topic regarding biofuels. Having done so, I have come across various interesting articles. In this entry, I will summarise two of my favourite articles about the technology of biofuels.

The first article, titled "Food vs fuel?" discusses about the anti-biofuels controversy. This article states about the various reasons as to why certain group of people or organisation oppose to the idea of biofuel. In the later part, the author analyse to what extent is the use of biofuel harmful. Firstly, the poor term biofuel as "crime against humanity". The production of biofuels drives millions of the poor population into starvation. As the demand for biofuel crops increases, the prices of this food crops skyrocket. As a result the prices of food become less affordable for the poor. Secondly, tropical rainforests are being destroyed to make way for biofuels crop plantations. Statistic has shown that "farming is responsible for 14 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions". The use of chemical fertilisers has introduced a huge amount of nitrogen into the soil, and nitrous oxide into the air. However, in the later part, the author argues that biofuel is an advantage when it is being utilise in a controlled manner. Biofuels are clean, green, renewable and sustainable. It should be produced in small-scale projects focusing on local production for local use.

The second article titled "Making biofuel from Pond Scum" was my favourite article. The idea of producing biofuel from algae was totally new to me. The fact that algae can produce 100 times more biodiesel per hectare than either canola or soy was an amazing fact to me. The author added that the production of oil from soy or canola generally requires a three to five-month growing season. However, algae are so prolific that they can double or triple overnight, and over half a batch can be harvested for oil production every day. In addition, the growth of algae does not require fertile soil. It only requires flat land, carbon dioxide and sunlight. Moreover, the growing troughs in which the algae grow under are sealed with clear plastic lids that allow in plenty of sunlight, but keep the water the plants are floating in from evaporating. As such, it is even possible to grow algae in the desert. Last but not least, the cost of biofuel is only about $70 a barrel, which is highly affordable and competitive to oil that are produced from fossil fuels.

After looking up for all these information, I have a better understanding for biofuel. These articles also provide me with more facts for the discussion in the roundtable and also in my writing assignment.

References:

Addison,K. Journey to Forever (2008). Food vs Fuel.Retrived March 3, 2009.http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html

Schlender,S.Making Biofuel from Pond Scum.(2007, January 26).Retrived March 5,2009.http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2007/01/making-biofuel-from-pond-scum-47237