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 Biofuels are regarded as an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels and as a new source for economic growth. Brazil is known as the world's leader, an unusual status for a nation in South America. This is the result of Brazil's government commitment, in an environment ideal for growth of sugarcane, the world's best-suited crop for biofuels.
The United States also has attempted to push eco-friendly biofuels as a new source of growth, but environmental scientists say results from the past decade demonstrate that U.S. corn falls far short of Brazil's sugarcane as a productive source.
Other nations in Latin America are attempting to follow Brazil's lead in developing eco-friendly biofuels, with the help of groups such as the Inter-American Development Bank. Guyana, Jamaica and Barbados also are prime producers of sugarcane.
World's Main Biofuel: Ethanol
So far, the most recognized use of biofuels is in ethanol, a gasoline mix of biofuels and fossil fuels (oil). Brazil has developed to a point at which it exports a surplus of ethanol, and the vast majority of motor vehicles are of a flex-fuel design. Furthermore, the original ethanol "recipe" was 85 percent gasoline and 15 percent biofuel, but Brazil gradually has improved the mix to 75 and 25 percent.
Fossil fuels such as oil and coal eventually will run out. Biofuels also are made from "lifeless biological material," because crops such as sugarcane and corn require a fermenting process before they can be used in products such as ethanol. But because they come from renewable crops, biofuels are viewed as part of a "green" eco-friendly energy future in tandem with solar, wind and geothermal sources.
In addition, biofuels emit far less carbon dioxide, or CO2, into the atmosphere compared to fossil fuels. Most scientists view carbon dioxide, produced during the industrial age, as a prime cause of global warming that could place the Earth's entire ecology at risk.
Research scientists also are exploring how to convert pollution and waste materials into biofuels, not just for powering vehicles, but also for heating homes and buildings.
Brazil's Courageous, Controversial Investment
Brazil became an eco-friendly pioneer with biofuels during the 1970s, at a time when other nations were turning their backs. Ethanol at the time cost three times more than gasoline. Brazil had an edge, with a culture of growing sugarcane rooted in centuries of tradition. Still, government leaders needed to make a massive infrastructure investment that was not always popular, especially during times when world oil prices bottomed out.
The spark for Brazil came with the Middle East oil embargo of 1973. Investments were required in agricultural production of sugarcane, and in building new facilities, backed by government subsidies and tax cuts. By 1990, Brazil was producing 20 times more ethanol than in 1973 and had become "energy independent," an achievement that is the envy of other nations. The world's first automobile to run on ethanol was a 1979 Fiat produced in Brazil.
Brazil now is offering its biofuel and ethanol expertise on an international scale, especially to developing nations in Latin America, the Caribbean and in Africa. Analysts say results are starting to show with the decline in Middle East oil prices during the past six months.
Other Options In Other Countries
Other nations are working to develop their own biofuels with resources at hand. European countries are focusing on wheat and sugar beets. Southeast Asia's product of choice is palm oil. Chinese farmers are growing sorghum, and in India the crop is jatropha. The United States may gradually switch from corn to soybeans and switch grass. Some nations, such as Great Britain, are developing solid biofuels with the use of everything from dried farm manure to everyday trash.
Still, no nation has yet to find an eco-friendly biofuel that matches Brazil's sugarcane.
Sources:
Environmental News Network
Biofuel Review
Running on Green - Central America Moves Toward a Biofuel EconomyEthanol Fuel in Brazil
Content by Michael Thompson, Associated Content for MercaTrade.com
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