Introduction
Environmental issues have been on the global agenda for a while (Clay & Fong 2011). The issue in question has been addressed in a variety of ways, from reducing the number of fumes exhausted by car and industry owners to the reinforcement of the concept of sustainability (Gupta & Tuochy 2012). The use of alternative energy is viewed as one of the ways of managing environmental problems (Maltitz & Stafford 2011).
Definition
The use of biofuel can be viewed as one of the safest and the cleanest ways of improving the current environmental issues and promoting the concept of sustainability as the foundation for the change on a global scale. Biofuel is defined as the biomass that was converted into fuel. Among the key components, organic waste needs to be mentioned (Pandey 2012). By incorporating organic waste into the process of biofuel creation, one makes sure that the process of its consumption will not trigger any side effects that will cause harm to the environment, such as the emission of CO2, etc.
Key Argument
Biofuel has a range of advantages compared to other types of fuel. First and most obvious, the amount of greenhouse gas that the identified type of fuel produces is much lower than the one exhausted by cars run on other fuel types (Borowitzka & Moheimani 2013). The opportunities for economic growth that the usage of biofuel opens for developing countries should also be mentioned as one of the greatest advantages thereof. Finally, biofuel is sustainable, which means that it provides a flexible approach to the use of resources. In other words, biofuel helps reduce waste greatly (Marshall 2014).
Counterargument
It should be borne in mind, though, that, when produced incorrectly, biofuel can also emit CO2 and, therefore, cause even greater environmental issues. Therefore, when investing in the production and the further consumption of biofuel, one must bear in mind that the specified phenomenon is not a silver bullet but, instead, a complex tool for reducing the harm done to the environment. While not harmful, it may be misused, which means that the strategy for managing the emergent environmental issues must be well thought out and perfectly out together.
Additional Considerations
More importantly, the components of biofuel may be the cause of an even greater threat to the environment. Particularly, when using the biofuel as a product of waste that is harmful to the environment, one subverts the very concept of sustainable use of resources (Lee & Sfon-Boatee 2013). It is essential to make sure that biofuel should contain only natural products. Thus, the chances for reducing the harm to the environment can rise significantly and, more importantly, remain consistent throughout the application of the corresponding measures.
Rebuttal
Nevertheless, one must admit that the use of biofuel can be deemed as one of the greatest breakthroughs in environmentalist so far. When using the abandoned areas, one creates premises for incurring little to no carbon debt; moreover, the immediate GHC opportunities can be expected once the framework is applied (Diamandis & Kotler 2012).
Conclusion
Promoting sustainable use of resources and contributing to a reduction in waste are two primary goals that environmentalists are facing at present. By focusing on the promotion of the concepts such a biofuel, the proponents of the environmentalism philosophy will be able to address the current issues.
Reference List
Borowitzka, M A, & Moheimani, N R 2013, Algae for biofuels and energy, Springer, New York.
Clay, S M, & Fong S S 2011, Developing biofuel bioprocesses using systems and synthetic biology, Springer, New York.
Diamandis, F H, & Kotler, D 2012, Abundance: the future is better than you think, Simon and Schuster, New York.
Gupta, V K, & Tuochy M G 2012, Biofuel technologies: recent developments, Springer, New York.
Lee, K, & Sfon-Boatee, C 2013, Sustainability of biofuel production from oil palm biomass, Springer, New York.
Maltitz, A, & Stafford, N S 2011, Assessing opportunities and constraints for biofuel development in sub-Saharan Africa, CIFOR, Indonesia.
Marshall, E 2014, Measuring the indirect land-use change associated with increased biofuel feedstock production: A review of modeling efforts: Congressional teport, DIANE Publishing, Washington, DC.
Pandey, S 2012, Biofuels: Alternative feedstocks and conversion processes, Academic Press, Washington, DC.