Biofuels

What are bio-fuels?

Bio-fuels are renewable energy resources created from either plant products or animal dung.

Why might bio-fuels not respond to immediate energy demands?

Bio-fuels must be continuously produced and stored for when they are needed.

In what forms can bio-fuels exist?

Bio-fuels can be solid, liquid, or gas.

What can bio-fuels be used for?

Bio-fuels can be burnt to produce electricity or run cars in the same way as fossil fuels.

What is a proposed advantage of bio-fuels?

They are supposedly carbon neutral.

Why are bio-fuels considered reliable?

Crops take a relatively short time to grow and different crops can be grown all year round.

Why is there a debate about bio-fuels being carbon neutral?

It's only really true if you keep growing plants at the rate that you’re burning them.

What process do plants undergo that helps them absorb CO2?

Plants undergo photosynthesis to absorb CO2.

What is a concern about growing crops for bio-fuels?

There might not be enough space or water to meet the demands for crops that are grown for food.

What conditions must be met for bio-fuels to be considered carbon neutral?

The amount of CO2 released by burning it must be equal to the amount absorbed by the plants you grow to make the bio-fuel.

What emissions result from the decay and burning of vegetation for bio-fuels?

The process increases carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane emissions.

What is a major con of refining bio-fuels?

The cost to refine bio-fuels so they are suitable for use is very high.

What environmental impact can the production of bio-fuels have?

Large areas of forest may be cleared, leading to species losing their natural habitats.

What happens when bio-fuels are burnt?

They release CO2 into the atmosphere.

What are bio-fuels made from?

Bio-fuels are made from plants and waste.