The Intersection of Environmental, Energy and Agricultural Policy
An Article Review
Abstract
Policy on biofuels provides limited support to make the energy a possible replacement for fossil fuels. As such, it is advantageous to detect the problems first before making a move. The article focused on the economic benefits of biofuels, as well as its relationship with the other related factors. With that, it is recommended to redesign the policies and make more subsidies for biofuels.
Acknowledgement
I would like to thank my adviser for guiding me with insights to make a good article review, and for the support and advices to make it suitable for the academic community
I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to my parents, who supported me in my academic ventures. To my friends, thank you for the company. We have finished all of our requirements together and without you, I would never be motivated like this. Again, want to say thank you for everything. You have my sincere and heartfelt gratitude.
Introduction
As the world continues to deplete the fossil fuel energy reserves, people also continue to find alternative energy resources to be used in the future (Hill et al., 2006). One proposed option is biofuels, and they are now assessed in terms of environmental and economic efficiency. The article focuses on the potential benefits of biofuels and how they can match the availability presently provided by fossil fuels.
Body
Despite the potential benefits of biofuel, the environmental, agricultural, and energy sector have not completely supported the advocacies encouraging their use (Tiffany, 2009). As a result, many people still continue to depend on fossil fuels because of its lower cost (Manuel, 2007). Furthermore, many people still doubts the efficiency of the biofuels and the business industry is afraid of taking such risks. Aside from these, the lack subsidies and the increased tariff discourages the promotion and practicality of biofuels, making people still prefer to use fossil fuels (de Gorter & Just, 2010). These problems significantly matter because they will continue to hinder people to use this energy resource in the future. Thus, it is important for people to know more details about biofuels and how it will help improve the economic condition in the future.
Using economic-related concepts, the article explained the potential of biofuels and the subsidies provided to them through taxes. Through in-depth analysis, the proposed method is to redesign the policies particularly in the taxation and energy consumption subsidies because the policies still favor the use of fossil fuels. (de Gorter & Just,2010). The methodology is economically helpful, but it lacks publicity because the method only focused on increasing the significance of biofuels. Aside from the lack of publicity, the article methodology provided a concrete analysis and sufficient answers to the problems stated earlier.
Many people are convinced and aware that biofuels are environment-friendly and energy-saving. However, many of them thought that biofuels cost higher than the fossil fuels. With this article, many people will understand that it is not the product itself that makes the cost higher, but it is the other factors such as the tariffs, which impose additional expenditure before reaching the market. People will also realize that the policies must be changed to be able to reduce the cost of biofuels to a level similar to that of fossil fuels.
Conclusion
Biofuels are indeed potential alternatives or even replacements for fossil fuels. However, if there are no policy changes in the near future, these possibilities will be difficult to achieve. To make up for this, people should be informed adequately, and from there, decision-making will provide a better assessment of biofuels and other possible energy sources.
References
De Gorter, H., & Just, D. (2010). The Social Costs and Benefits of Biofuels: The Intersection of Environmental, Energy and Agricultural Policy. Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, 32(1), 4-32.
Hill, J., Nelson, E., Tilman, D., Polasky, S., & Tiffany, D. (2006). Environmental, economic, and energetic costs and benefits of biodiesel and ethanol biofuels. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 103(30), 11206-11210.
Manuel, J. (2007). Battle of the Biofuels. Environmental Health Perspectives, 115(2), A92-A95.
Tiffany, D. (2009). Economic and Environmental Impacts of U.S. Corn Ethanol Production and Use. Regional Economic Development, 5(1), 42-58.
