The world today is waking up to the realization that pollution of the environment has become costly. It is for that reason that there is an effort to embrace better options that going to this problem. When it comes to the use of energy biofuels, have been lauded as the best mitigation to deal with the overexploitation of fossil fuels that are in return leading to the over pollution of the environment that has led to global warming. If fossil fuels are going to be substituted with biofuels in the transport industry, there will be a considerable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions as well as enhancement of livelihoods that will lead to the independence of many countries when it comes to energy production and use. Thus far, fossil fuel is not renewable energy and is said to raise atmospheric carbon dioxide; therefore, the creation and embracing of biofuels as an alternative source of energy will go a long way to environmental sustainability.
The topic on biofuels is right in so many ways and is an alternative to McDonaldization because the two share a similar concept. McDonaldization is manifested in society when people exhibit character and attributes associated with the fast food restaurants. Often people desire a quality life that is associated with success, and they would rather replace old tendencies and ways of living with modern ones that promise them success. Revolutionary ideas that look promising become quickly embraced and that makes every task become rationalized. The fast food industry took up the American society by storm. Many Americans preferred fast food to traditional foods prepared at home or even restaurants. It is much common to find people leaving the comfort of their houses to buy fast-food and then go back to their houses instead of preparing their meals at home. As long as the desired outcome is achieved, then nothing else matters. The same is happening to the sector of renewable energy where they are fronted as the best option there is to the problem of pollution and the reuse of available waste materials.
One of the main reasons the world is turning to biofuels is because they are environmentally friendly when they are compared to conventional fossil fuels. That is because they do not release sulphur oxides or sulphates into the atmosphere. Also, they release less smog- forming emissions and unburned substances that are poisonous and dangerous on the environment (Demirbas 76). Studies also indicate that biodiesel is not hazardous and creates less environmental damage in the atmosphere. With all these qualities, nothing can stop further usage of biofuels because if the environment is protected, then human beings are assured of a safer environment that promotes quality life. If the amounts of dangerous emissions into the environment are reduced even by half, there will be a turnaround effect of these dangerous gasses on the environment and the effects of global warming will be reduced a great deal.
Biofuels will be beneficial to society because they will help prevent further depletion of natural resources. For instance, biodiesel will replace regular diesel and coal, a scarce resource from which diesel is produced will be preserved. Also, if people will use biogas to produce electricity instead of the traditional coal, it is believed that this natural resource will be preserved (Pimentel 105). As a cheaper resource, biofuels will go a long way into enhancing people’s lives in some ways. And as long as it is the renewable energy that is in question it can be reused several times thus reducing the cost of production after all. For instance, the cost production of ethanol per gallon is less than a dollar (Scragg 23). The bottom line is that a lower cost of production will in return affect the overall cost of these biofuels, and what better way is there of making life cheaper than this.
There exists a counter argument to the use of biofuels that mainly focuses on its demand and sustainability. The demand for energy in the United States and around the world is so high; so much so that it is believed that no amount of biofuels is going to meet that demand. And to supply enough, huge tracts of land will be put to farming of corn and soybeans that will negatively affect the faring of other important farm products that are a necessity to the American Society (Pimentel 53). Animals and wildlife will be denied their natural habitats and their native foods as well. And if the crops will be purposely grown for the production of biofuels and not human use, huge amounts of fertilizer and pesticides will be used, in the end, there will be more harm created in environmental pollution just like it is the case when fossil fuels are used. Sometimes it is only ideal that the cons of biofuels are looked at from a long-term perspective when a cost implication analysis has been done.
Biofuels might look as if that is what the world has been waiting for all this time. But their pros and cons when relatively analyzed bring out another dimension of their use that is not so profitable. The premise of its efficiency only brings out some of its disadvantages that make it more dangerous than fossil fuels and other forms of non-renewable energy. The whole thing about efficiency will lead to loads of dangers that many would rather they ignored. The truth is renewable energy may never be sufficient, and the country might plunge into energy problems if it is embraced. It may be a cheap and easy way out but might end up being costlier in the long run.
Works Cited
Demirbas, Ayhan. Biofuels: Securing the Planet’s Future Energy Needs. New York: Springer, 2009. Print
Pimentel, David. Biofuels, Solar and Wind as Renewable Energy: Benefits and Risks. New York: Springer, 2008. Print
Scragg, Alan H. Biofuels: Production, Application and Development. Wallingford: CABI, 2009. Print
