Environmental Effects of Biofuels Coursework - 275 Words

Environmental Effects of Biofuels (Coursework Sample) Content: Global warming: Environmental Effects of BiofuelsStudentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s nameInstitutional affiliationBlottnitz, Harro von Mary, Ann C. (2007). A review of assessments conducted on bio-ethanol as a transportation fuel from a net energy, greenhouse gas, and environmental life cycle perspective. Journal of Cleaner Production. 15: 607-619.This particular article analyses 47 global life cycle assessments of methanol emissions and comes up with a conclusion from a combination of these assessments. The first conclusion of the authors of the article is that methanol can be made from sugar crops in tropical nations. However, expansion of agricultural land usage should be approached with great caution. The authors also conclude that the types of technology employed in handling process residue are key determinants of emissions from biofuels. The article also identifies a wide range of environmental effects of biofuels. They include depletion of the ozone, negative effects on ecolo gical and human health, contributing towards global warming, depletion of natural resources, eutrophication, smog formation and acidification. Basically, the article notes that although bio-ethanol results in global warming and reductions in resource use, more research is need on effects like human toxicity, acidification and ecological toxicity mainly because the latter only occur during growing and processing biomass.U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service and The Officeof the Chief Economist (2007). An Analysis of the Effects of an Expansion inBiofuel Demand on U.S. Agriculture. Washington, DC. US Department ofAgriculture.The primary focus of this particular article is the supply and economic effects of an increase in biodiesel and ethanol demand. Additionally, the article also provides examination the effects of increased demand for biofuels on nutrient loading and soil erosion. The article concludes that other than brining new land production, changes in tillag e practices and crop rotations as a result of increased corn production increases nutrient loading and soil erosion, especially in the countryà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s Northern Plains and the Corn Belt. This article focuses on two main environmental impacts of increased production and demand for biofuels. First, the study states that nutrients that are applied to the top soil may not be absorbed by the crops. C...