NRDC: The Right Way to Use Biofuels
Posted in Biofuels | Energy Industry | Environment and Sustainability
When we think about sources of alternative energy, we often feel a rush of positive thoughts engulfing us. We often think that while developing alternative sources of energy we are doing nothing wrong. But building up new sources of alternative energy is a double edged weapon. If we don’t tread cautiously we might hurt ourselves in the process. Caution should be exercised if we are going for biofuels as alternative source of energy. USA can boast of beautiful flora and fauna. We have the wild lands of the Cumberland Plateau in the southeast and formidable Rocky Mountains and Alaska’s Tongass National Forest. Wildlife and natural forests of these places are rich and varied. But big businesses are trying to inflict irreversible damage to these pristine places in the guile of electricity and biofuels. We know that once destroyed we will never be able to restore the flora and fauna of these places to its former glory. So we have to be aware of those alternative energy resources that do more harm than good.
The Congress is also in the mood to change the energy map of America. They want more sites proclaiming renewable sources like wind, solar and biomass to produce energy. Here we want to concentrate on alternative energy source biomass. Biomass is the organic matter that can come from sustainable sources, but could also come from natural forests and grasslands. Biomass can be utilized for electricity and biofuels. But if you are going to use biofuels you also need to exercise strong discretion to differentiate good from bad. The wrong sources of biofuel can destroy forests and they can become the breeding ground of cropland or sterile tree plantations at the cost of wildlife of the area.
The U.S. biofuels industry has shot into prominence in recent years because of the rising oil prices and an emphasis on developing alternative sources of fuel. Keeping all the above situations in mind, a new campaign has been started by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). They are taking the help of the Internet and print media for running an awareness campaign about the right use of biofuels. The ads appeared on the front page of Politico.com . The ads direct people to biofuels page on NRDC’s website. This page compels people to use discretion while using biofuels. What is the right way of using the source of biofuels? If you are interested you can check out more detailed discussion of the potential and challenges for bioenergy on NRDC’s new renewables section of the website.
Why NRDC is taking action now? We have heard about the right time and the right place for certain things. Same is true about sources of biofuels. Energy map of USA is changing now and changing fast. Environment and debate about its damage is hot discussed now. If we read carefully then w can spot major alternative energy events like rules to implement the RFS2, implementation of the stimulus package, and climate policy are happening in current time. So it is an appropriate time to acquaint ourselves with the right kind of biofuels that will deal with the unemployment problem and will lead us towards green jobs, a stronger economy and a safer economy and ultimately, towards greener pastures.