2 studies conclude that biofuels are not so green after all - The New York Times - 0 views
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most all biofuels used today cause more greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fuels if the pollution caused by producing these "green" fuels is taken into account, two studies published Thursday have concluded.
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The benefits of biofuels have come under increasing attack in recent months as scientists have evaluated the global environmental cost of their production. The new studies, published by the journal Science, are likely to add to the controversy.
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When you take this into account, most of the biofuel that people are using or planning to use would probably increase greenhouse gasses substantially," sai
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t even that equation proved overly simplistic because the process of turning plants into fuel causes it own emissions - through refining and transport, for example
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If vegetable oil prices go up globally, as they have because of increased demand for biofuel crops, new land is inevitably cleared as farmers in developing countries switch production. Crops from old plantations and fields go to Europe for biofuels, but new fields and plantations are created to feed people at home.
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ut the new studies suggested that when land use is taken into account few, if any biofuels, will be acceptable.
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d: "If the whole point of biofuels directives was to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we've found out that most biofuels are not really better than conventional fuels at that."