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Brits Debate Eco-Wisdom of Biofuels

Oil substitute may destroy rainforests, increase food prices

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 20, 2008 11:03 AM CST

(Newser) – Biofuels may actually exacerbate the environmental problems they were meant to allay, reports the Observer, and a UK Parliamentary committee has released a report examining the possible effects. Using fuel made from crops like tallow and rapeseed may actually worsen greenhouse gas emissions, kill rainforests, and drive up food prices due to land competition.

The report’s findings will be particularly relevant in Britain, which will soon require gas and diesel to contain at least 2.5% biofuels; concerns may lead the committee to push for delays in the legislation. But the environmental minister stands by the plan: “Even if biofuels are not as good as people claim, the question that matters is, are they better than oil?”

A advertisement for BioDiesel fuel  in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Friday, March 9, 2007. The U.S. and Brazil signed an advance biofuel agreement between their two countries.(AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
A advertisement for BioDiesel fuel in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Friday, March 9, 2007. The U.S. and Brazil signed an advance biofuel agreement between their two countries.(AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)   (Associated Press)
Chinese visitors walk past a life size Snecma aircraft engine, powered by biofuel  on display at the 12th Aviation Expo in Beijing, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007. China will need to buy 3,400 aircraft at a cost of US$340 billion over the next two decades as its air travel market...
Chinese visitors walk past a life size Snecma aircraft engine, powered by biofuel on display at the 12th Aviation Expo in Beijing, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007. China will need to buy 3,400 aircraft at...   (Associated Press)
Virgin Atlantic Chairman Richard Branson, left, and Jim McNerney, chairman and chief executive of Boeing Co., pose inside a display of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner after a news conference in Chicago, Tuesday, April 24, 2007, where it was announced that the London-based carrier has ordered 15 of Boeing's new jets...
Virgin Atlantic Chairman Richard Branson, left, and Jim McNerney, chairman and chief executive of Boeing Co., pose inside a display of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner after a news conference in Chicago, Tuesday,...   (Associated Press)
Steve Korrow of Gillespie Fuel of Northfield, Vt., loads biodiesel fuel in Essex Junction, Vt., Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)
Steve Korrow of Gillespie Fuel of Northfield, Vt., loads biodiesel fuel in Essex Junction, Vt., Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)   (Associated Press)
U.S. President George W. Bush, left, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, right,  look at sugar cane stalks as they tour Petros Transporte S.A. Facility before delivering a joint statement on BioFuel Technology, Friday, March 9, 2007 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
U.S. President George W. Bush, left, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, right, look at sugar cane stalks as they tour Petros Transporte S.A. Facility before delivering a joint statement...   (Associated Press)
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