February 10th, 2010 12:36 am
There is a question whether we, as a society, will adopt biodiesel and we need to address a number of complex and sometimes related challenges first. While there is, as yet, only a limited amount of comprehensively researched data available, many factors are changing in favour of biodiesel fuel. Just 10 years ago, widespread adoption of biodiesel as an alternative fuel mode seemed unlikely, but that situation is certainly changing fast.
We are learning very quickly how our reliance on traditional fossil fuels is likely to cause us great concern in the future. When petroleum is made, greenhouse gases are guaranteed and we now know how this is affecting the planet’s average annual temperature. Climate change is already leading to weather pattern alterations that could potentially cause devastating problems to future generations. Changes must come and we must cut down our reliance on fossil fuels, even though this change is slow to materialise sometimes. Challenges to the very way that we exist are difficult to contemplate and if we must make changes, we prefer to do it without incurring additional economic costs. However, adopting alternative energy production processes and consumption patterns may put us at competitive disadvantage compared to countries that do not.
If we’re slow to act, scientists and environmentalists tell us that harm could become irreversible. Governments are listening and may well consider taxation of carbon, ensuring that organisations become more efficient and reduce their reliance on fossil fuel. This could help to balance the playing field for biodiesel fuel. If traditional petroleum fuels become even more expensive due to carbon related costs, biodiesel fuel will become more palatable.
Further to that, as society becomes increasingly more worried about climate change, it is likely to turn toward measures and solutions that are seen as being far “greener.” Biodiesel fuels may represent a premium over alternatives and may be more difficult to find, but nevertheless a trend toward them will begin. People will experiment with ways of making biodiesel and commercial solutions will emerge around the country.
Our agricultural producers have been worried about a decline in demand for their goods in recent years. As homemade biodiesel relies on vegetable oils or surplus oils and animal fats, crop producers could find a ready market for soybeans, for example providing the raw material essential for the production of the fuel. Wouldn’t it be nice to keep the revenues from production and sale of our fuels within our communities and keep them from flooding overseas? It is sobering to realise that by the 2020s, two thirds of fuel purchased revenues could be lost to foreign countries.
Sustainability is going to be a very hot topic during this new decade. The biodiesel industry will be very much to the fore. With so much at stake, not only with respect to the long term financial stability of our country, but also the priceless global sustainability which could be achieved, can any of us really afford to continue to wait until someone in power makes a decision?
Tags: biodiesel, diesel, engine, environment, fuel