Biofuels are produced by converting organic matter into fuel for powering our society. These biofuels are an alternative energy source to the fossil fuels that we are currently dependent on. Biofuels include ethanol, derivatives of plants such as sugar cane, as well as vegetable and corn oils.

 The International Energy Agency (IEA) tells us that ethanol could comprise up to 10 percent of the world's usable gasoline by 2025, and up to 30 percent by 2050. Today, the percentage figure is two percent.

We still  have a long way to go to refine and make economically viable the large-scale use of biofuels that are currently being researched. As yet the biofuels we have developed are not as energy efficient as gasoline made from petroleum. In technical terms, 'energy efficiency' is measured by how much usable energy for our purpose is derived from a specific amount of input energy. The Oregon State University made a study of this and found corn-derived ethanol to be only 20% energy efficient (gasoline made from petroleum is 75% energy efficient). Biodiesel fuel was recorded at 69% energy efficiency. However, the OSU study found one positive: cellulose-derived ethanol was charted at 85% efficiency, which is even higher than nuclear energy which is usually regarded as extremely efficient. 

The unpredictabilty of the international crude oil prices over the past couple of years, together with the downturn in the economy, means that countries throughout the world need to pay serious attention to developing their alternative energy resources.  

Indeed, it is predicted by a consensus of analysts that biofuels shall be supplying seven percent of the entire world's transportation fuels by the year 2030. Some energy market analysts have predicted that the growth in demand for diesel and gasoline may slow down dramatically, if the governments subsidize firms distributing biofuels and begin to strongly promote the use of eco-friendly fuel.

Several nations are working very hard at developing biofuels.

Brazil is the world's biggest producer of ethanols derived from sugars. It produces approximately three and a half billion gallons of ethanol per year.

The United States, while being the world's greatest oil-guzzler, is already the second largest producer of biofuels behind Brazil.

The European Union's biodiesel production capacity is now in excess of four million (British) tonnes. 80 percent of the EU's biodiesel fuels are derived from rapeseed oil; soybean oil and a marginal quantity of palm oil comprise the other 20 percent.

It is our responsibilty as individuals, communities and countries to ensure that alternative sources of energy to power our homes, schools, factories, businesses and shopping malls are put on the agenda, discussed and implemented at every turn.

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