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TAKE Describe what biofuels are, how they are used and where they come from Appreciate how energy from the sun and materials from the environment are converted into biofuels for use in transport and industries, via biological processes like photosynthesis Make an informed stand on the use of biofuels, using named examples of how biofuels can be advantageous and disadvantageous to society and the environment What are biofuels? Biomass Biological materials derived from living things (mainly plants) Examples: o Biodiesel Can be used in diesel cars with no modification o Bioethanol Most cars can run on petrol that contains up to 10% ethanol without modification (E10) o Biogas Advantages of biofuels: We can grow biomass (under our control) o Renewable resource, contrasted against non renewable resources such as petroleum o Can lower carbon emissions (crops remove CO2 from air as they grow and store it in biomass and soil) o New market for farmers around the world No net production of greenhouse gases o Carbon dioxide produced when burning biofuels were originally taken in from atmosphere via photosynthesis Waste may be converted into something useful Disadvantages of biomass: A lot of energy is required to grow and convert biomass Sustainability of production Health &Safety of workers in plantations Cuts down forests Makes people hungry Need to try many initiatives as it is quite new Prices of wheat/corn increase Food prices increase as crops e.g. corn are major ingredients Competition amongst farmers Fertilisers, water, nitrogen depriving Soil run-off

BIOFUELS