Introduction
Since the beginning of the 21st century, Australia has become one of the highest greenhouse gas producers per capita amongst the world. With a vast growth in the Australian population, the demand for burning fuel in motor vehicles has led to an increased amount of greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere, contributing over 16 % to the Australia’s total greenhouse emission. It has become a necessity for the Australian government to find alternative sources of fuel to cope with the transportation needs of the growing population. This issues study report will consider discussing the use of biodiesel and bio-ethanol as alternative fuels to petroleum and diesel. Furthermore, this report will also consider whether the use …show more content…
In order for the fermentation process to occur, the carbohydrates from starch is converted from disaccharides and polysaccharides into glucose though liquefaction and saccharification. The fermentation of monosaccharide is further carried out under anaerobic conditions, where the temperature is kept between 18 and 35 degrees and at a pH between 4 and 7. These conditions are perfect for the fermentation process to occur, as a result forming ethanol and carbon dioxide as …show more content…
Significant consequences of biofuel production is the increasing price of food crops, and the creation of more space for new farmland, hence, leading to deforestation.
Food Prices
The major ethical issue associated with the production of biofuels is the increased food prices. As the global price of oil increases, the biofuel industry becomes more attractive to grow. Hence, a majority of farmers will choose grow biofuel crops than food crops, which will lead to food shortages and increasing food price. According to an Oxfam study “By 2020, biofuels policy will result in 16% higher prices for plant oils, 10% higher prices for oilseeds and an estimated 2.6% average increase in global crop prices”. Food price increases affect consumer around the world, but their impact on people in developing countries is higher. It has already be seen in developing countries such as Niger, Senegal and Cameroon where the increasing prices of food such as wheat and rice went up by almost 20 percent in 2007, mainly due to the mass production of crops for
Since the beginning of the 21st century, Australia has become one of the highest greenhouse gas producers per capita amongst the world. With a vast growth in the Australian population, the demand for burning fuel in motor vehicles has led to an increased amount of greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere, contributing over 16 % to the Australia’s total greenhouse emission. It has become a necessity for the Australian government to find alternative sources of fuel to cope with the transportation needs of the growing population. This issues study report will consider discussing the use of biodiesel and bio-ethanol as alternative fuels to petroleum and diesel. Furthermore, this report will also consider whether the use …show more content…
In order for the fermentation process to occur, the carbohydrates from starch is converted from disaccharides and polysaccharides into glucose though liquefaction and saccharification. The fermentation of monosaccharide is further carried out under anaerobic conditions, where the temperature is kept between 18 and 35 degrees and at a pH between 4 and 7. These conditions are perfect for the fermentation process to occur, as a result forming ethanol and carbon dioxide as …show more content…
Significant consequences of biofuel production is the increasing price of food crops, and the creation of more space for new farmland, hence, leading to deforestation.
Food Prices
The major ethical issue associated with the production of biofuels is the increased food prices. As the global price of oil increases, the biofuel industry becomes more attractive to grow. Hence, a majority of farmers will choose grow biofuel crops than food crops, which will lead to food shortages and increasing food price. According to an Oxfam study “By 2020, biofuels policy will result in 16% higher prices for plant oils, 10% higher prices for oilseeds and an estimated 2.6% average increase in global crop prices”. Food price increases affect consumer around the world, but their impact on people in developing countries is higher. It has already be seen in developing countries such as Niger, Senegal and Cameroon where the increasing prices of food such as wheat and rice went up by almost 20 percent in 2007, mainly due to the mass production of crops for