BioFuels Journal

Science Magazine Study Finds That Biofuels Use Substantially Increases Greenhouse Gas Emissions

DUBLIN, Ireland—Research and Markets has announced the addition of "Analyzing GHG Emissions from Biofuels" to their offering.

A new study published in a recent issue of the Science magazine found that using biofuels increases emissions of greenhouse gases when the impact of land converted to cropland is included.

The analysis found that using corn-based ethanol doubles greenhouse gas emissions over 30 years and increases emissions for 167 years.

Biofuels from switchgrass that are grown on U.S. corn land increase emissions by 50%, it said.

"Most prior studies have found that substituting biofuels for gasoline will reduce greenhouse gases because biofuels sequester carbon through the growth of the feedstock," according to a brief summary of the study posted on the Science website.

"These analyses have failed to count the carbon emissions that occur as farmers worldwide respond to higher prices and convert forest and grassland to new cropland to replace the grain (or cropland) diverted to biofuels."

Report analyzes the two sides of this ongoing debate.

While some scientists claim that biofuels give rise to GHG emissions, others argue that biofuels aid in mitigating global warming.

The report analyzes points in favor of biofuels and those against them.

In this in-depth analysis, the report also covers the basics of biofuels, information about greenhouse gases and global warming, and of course, the present ongoing debate.