As part of their campaign, Arcola Theatre has been asked by Friend of the Earth to produce a play on bio fuels.
We have collected some background information about the pro and cons of bio fuels.
PROS:
Reduce dependence on fossil fuels
Produce far less carbon dioxide and other GHGs than oil
Reduce other forms of air pollution (such as carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide)
Are high-quality fuels
Are immediately usable within current infrastructure
Support local agriculture development.
CONS:
Environmental impacts of monocultures: damage to soils, climate and the environment
Increased rainforest clearance in developing countries for growing bio fuel stock
Negative impacts on food prices
Higher costs than other forms of carbon reductions
Harsh agricultural labor conditions
Turning to biofuels takes emphasis and investment away from other forms of energy production
Increased use of genetically engineered crops.
For more information, we advise you to visit:
- The Guardian website: www.guardian.co.uk/environment/biofuels
- Oxfam’s report on Biofuel ‘Another inconvenient truth’ to be download at www.oxfam.org.uk/resources/policy/climate_change/bp114_inconvenient_truth.html
- The International Food Policy Research Institute: www.ifpri.org/themes/bioenergy/bioenergy.asp
Feel free to add your comments about this issue!