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Louis Egbe Mbua
As we live in the Biosphere, so too must we act responsibly in the case of natural resources. Biofuels technology, production and distribution is no different in this respect. As the fuel is obtained from plant, we must be sure that we do not destroy the same environment that provides the raw material for this commodity. Furthermore, humans alone do not inhabit the earth nor can we live here without the same plants that we are discussing. Additionally, we are aware that certain animal specie that depend on plants and the forest for habitation and food supplies are now endangered. Consequently, our production of Biofuels should not override these concerns leading to destruction of both the environment therefore the extinction of certain animal and plant species. The forests, if cleared for biofuel crops should be done in such away that animals are relocated to similar habitats and rare plants are replanted in another appropriate environment so that species are both conserved while we maintain Biosphere balance. Similarly, in the grass plains that may serve as a potential for Biofuel raw material, again, animals such as elephants and zebra should be given close attention in conservation possibly by relocation and replanting of edible plants for these animals as if we do not act responsibly, the food chain will be affected with severe consequences to the ecosystem.
Then we have to realise that Biofuels production has to compete with food production. With the world population standing at 6 billion, and rising exponentially, we have to balance our priorities to ensure that food production is high enough to sustain world population growth and avert world hunger. This means that crops such as wheat and barley, potential crops must not be sacrificed as food as against Biofuels. At the same time, we must ensure that our energy supplies are adequate to grow these crops for both food and Biofuels. Extensive research should be done to ensure that a model can be developed that may balance food production as against the utilisation of land to produce Biofuels crops; and that the environment and soil should not be overused and hence destruction. The best method to achieve this goal may be to mark out how much land are required for Biofuel crops; how much fuel is to be produced to meet our demands; and how much land should be utilised for food production to again meet world population growth.
The next consideration is town planning that may give rise to what one may consider as future Biocities. We must be careful not to create a situation whereby indigenous people living in particular areas that are suitable for Biofuel crops are not forcibly displaced from their habitation. The solution to this kind of scenario and potential for conflict; is to ensure that any estate that is marked out for Biofuel crop planting must be accompanied by new Biocities that reflect the original environment for the displaced peoples. Such Biocities may have to be sustained by renewable energy as well as solar power; and that plants that may have been cut down to create the Biofuel estate are replanted in the vicinity of the city so that the environment is stabilised; and that we do not create a scenario whereby a particular group of people practising a particular way of life; as well as rare plants are maintained for the future generation to continue with Biofuel production.
Another consideration will be road or railways construction and distribution of the Biofuel crops and the manufactured Biofuels. Again, we actually need these network if our energy needs are to be met. They should be built in such a way as not to disturb the local populations with noise pollution in the cities involved; and that if this road projects are through dense forests, the felled trees and crops have to be replanted to maintain biodiversity balance. Research has to be done to map out what species would be affected before the road or railway building begins.
Further, it is true that Biofuels also produce oxides of carbon that cause Green House effect and Global warming. However, it can be said in some logical sense that the Carbon oxides produced is again absorbed by the same Biofuel plants and crops that produce the fuel. Consequently, it can be argued that the net carbon oxides produced by Biofuels may not be of enough amounts as to increase the already known effect of earth heating with the consequences that will result.
The building of refineries, power stations with their cooling towers should also be located in such a way as not to distort and mask the environment. There is scientific evidence that shorter and smaller fluidised bed cooling towers of about 10 times smaller than conventional fixed ones; which are prevalent in the countryside. More research should be done in the design of these towers so as to obviate any environmental conflict that may ensue in the case of building another power plant using biofuels. The advantage for a Biofuels refinery is that its aromatic effect may give near by habitation a kind of Bioperfumes that are more pleasant to the environment than byproducts of crude petroleum refineries.
Another consideration is the problem of compose that help balance soil fertility. If we are to utilise green plant stalks, then there would be less available compose to enrich the soil for further cultivation. Therefore, one believes that some of the stalk should be left in the soil while some are utilised. And that this should be balanced with appropriate application of fertilizers to augment soil nutrients taken away for Biofuels production rather than plough back to the ground.
These are not exhaustive environmental concerns. On the other hand, it may serve as a guiding hand for individual governments and law makers to legislate so as to protect the environment, indigenous populations and biodiversity at the same time support the production of Biofuels. In this way, we may have a balance of environment; people, biodiversity and Biofuels production for the benefit of human kind.
As we live in the Biosphere, so too must we act responsibly in the case of natural resources. Biofuels technology, production and distribution is no different in this respect. As the fuel is obtained from plant, we must be sure that we do not destroy the same environment that provides the raw material for this commodity. Furthermore, humans alone do not inhabit the earth nor can we live here without the same plants that we are discussing. Additionally, we are aware that certain animal specie that depend on plants and the forest for habitation and food supplies are now endangered. Consequently, our production of Biofuels should not override these concerns leading to destruction of both the environment therefore the extinction of certain animal and plant species. The forests, if cleared for biofuel crops should be done in such away that animals are relocated to similar habitats and rare plants are replanted in another appropriate environment so that species are both conserved while we maintain Biosphere balance. Similarly, in the grass plains that may serve as a potential for Biofuel raw material, again, animals such as elephants and zebra should be given close attention in conservation possibly by relocation and replanting of edible plants for these animals as if we do not act responsibly, the food chain will be affected with severe consequences to the ecosystem.
Then we have to realise that Biofuels production has to compete with food production. With the world population standing at 6 billion, and rising exponentially, we have to balance our priorities to ensure that food production is high enough to sustain world population growth and avert world hunger. This means that crops such as wheat and barley, potential crops must not be sacrificed as food as against Biofuels. At the same time, we must ensure that our energy supplies are adequate to grow these crops for both food and Biofuels. Extensive research should be done to ensure that a model can be developed that may balance food production as against the utilisation of land to produce Biofuels crops; and that the environment and soil should not be overused and hence destruction. The best method to achieve this goal may be to mark out how much land are required for Biofuel crops; how much fuel is to be produced to meet our demands; and how much land should be utilised for food production to again meet world population growth.
The next consideration is town planning that may give rise to what one may consider as future Biocities. We must be careful not to create a situation whereby indigenous people living in particular areas that are suitable for Biofuel crops are not forcibly displaced from their habitation. The solution to this kind of scenario and potential for conflict; is to ensure that any estate that is marked out for Biofuel crop planting must be accompanied by new Biocities that reflect the original environment for the displaced peoples. Such Biocities may have to be sustained by renewable energy as well as solar power; and that plants that may have been cut down to create the Biofuel estate are replanted in the vicinity of the city so that the environment is stabilised; and that we do not create a scenario whereby a particular group of people practising a particular way of life; as well as rare plants are maintained for the future generation to continue with Biofuel production.
Another consideration will be road or railways construction and distribution of the Biofuel crops and the manufactured Biofuels. Again, we actually need these network if our energy needs are to be met. They should be built in such a way as not to disturb the local populations with noise pollution in the cities involved; and that if this road projects are through dense forests, the felled trees and crops have to be replanted to maintain biodiversity balance. Research has to be done to map out what species would be affected before the road or railway building begins.
Further, it is true that Biofuels also produce oxides of carbon that cause Green House effect and Global warming. However, it can be said in some logical sense that the Carbon oxides produced is again absorbed by the same Biofuel plants and crops that produce the fuel. Consequently, it can be argued that the net carbon oxides produced by Biofuels may not be of enough amounts as to increase the already known effect of earth heating with the consequences that will result.
The building of refineries, power stations with their cooling towers should also be located in such a way as not to distort and mask the environment. There is scientific evidence that shorter and smaller fluidised bed cooling towers of about 10 times smaller than conventional fixed ones; which are prevalent in the countryside. More research should be done in the design of these towers so as to obviate any environmental conflict that may ensue in the case of building another power plant using biofuels. The advantage for a Biofuels refinery is that its aromatic effect may give near by habitation a kind of Bioperfumes that are more pleasant to the environment than byproducts of crude petroleum refineries.
Another consideration is the problem of compose that help balance soil fertility. If we are to utilise green plant stalks, then there would be less available compose to enrich the soil for further cultivation. Therefore, one believes that some of the stalk should be left in the soil while some are utilised. And that this should be balanced with appropriate application of fertilizers to augment soil nutrients taken away for Biofuels production rather than plough back to the ground.
These are not exhaustive environmental concerns. On the other hand, it may serve as a guiding hand for individual governments and law makers to legislate so as to protect the environment, indigenous populations and biodiversity at the same time support the production of Biofuels. In this way, we may have a balance of environment; people, biodiversity and Biofuels production for the benefit of human kind.
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