by John Torres

Created on: April 28, 2008   Last Updated: May 07, 2008

The Green Revolution

As the worlds fossil fuel reserves dwindle, the search for alternative fuels becomes more and more broad and more imaginative. Everyone has heard of the use and research of biofuels at some time or another in the media, whether on the news or even on billboards. Car manufacturers have made progress by leaps and bounds to make cars that have less of an effect on the environment. But are these solutions to the climate crisis affordable and can they be implemented quickly enough to make a positive change?

Although fossil fuels are made of organic materials, the term "biofuel" usually refers to fuels that can be grown rather than having to drill for and refine in an environmentally taxing process. The benefits are enormous but so are the resources needed for the processes to make them. Farmers are now required to dedicate twenty-five percent of their corn yields to biofuels. This has caused a noticeable strain on the nations fuel supply. The cost of U.S. food prices would rise by a minimum of 1.1% because of rising feed costs, according to an Iowa State University report on agricultural and rural development. Because of the rising prices for necessities like meat, dairy and eggs it would seem that this would be a very profitable year for farmers, however, most of their profit go straight to their farms. This situation is irritated further because of the falling value of the dollar and concerns of inflation rising to percentages not seen since the seventies. Ironically, this is a very profitable time for the agriculture market due to rising demand for corn and soy; the two crops used for making E-85 Ethanol and biodiesel fuels.

Despite the short term costs of these technologies, the potential of the biofuel industry will only multiply because of environmental concerns and the rising availability to the average consumer. Also, the methods used for the process for making these fuels are very creative. One method uses the carbon-dioxide emissions from coke factories to feed algae, the algae multiply through photosynthesis which give off oxygen. But interestingly, the algae are allowed do decompose down an oily substance that is used to make Ethanol and other biofuels. Even landfills are being used to create fuels. The wastes in landfills are used for making methane and natural gases that heat homes. Also, the most promising aspect of biofuels is that new fuel can be made in the span of a year or two and the ability to create home grown fuel eases political tensions that come with negotiating with foreign countries for fuel. Also, as the supply increases, the prices will drop significantly because there are fewer taxes on them as they are not imported.

Although the benefit of these technologies are only beginning to be realized, the real value may not be in the fuels created but in the methods that create them. The knowledge gain can possibly find an even better resource for the future and the worth of a home grown fuel that can be made in a short time cannot be ignored.

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