Oxfam, a nongovernmental organization dedicated to combating poverty in the world, believes the Brazilian ethanol is the most favorable biofuel in the world in terms of emissions of polluting gases and cost.

The report says that the replacement of traditional fuels by biofuels has led more than 30 million people to poverty and are not helping to combat climate change.

According to the document, the so-called “green policies” of developed countries are contributing to the increase in prices of food – which reaches more poor people.

The text cites as the World Bank, which estimates that the price of food rose 83% in the last three years.

The author of the report, Robert Bailey, criticized the subsidies and tax incentives “generous” granted by rich countries to support its own production of biofuel, including targets and rapidly increasing taxes on imports, which “has been used to protect interests of its farmers “.

“Rich countries spend up to $ 15 billion last year to support its own biofuels at the same time as they prevent the entry of Brazilian ethanol, which is cheaper and is much less harmful to global food security and the environment , “He said.

“This is the same amount that Oxfam says it is necessary to help the poor cope with the crisis of food.”

The report by Oxfam says: “While the production of Brazilian ethanol is far from perfect and present various social problems and environmental sustainability, this is the most favorable biofuel in the world in terms of cost and balance of greenhouse gases”.

The document includes a comparison with the biofuel from corn produced in the United States, saying that their production is highly dependent on fossil fuels, representing “one of the worst” balance between greenhouse gases and use of energy.

The report asks the European Union (EU) to cancel the goal of ensuring that 10% of transport on the block to use biofuels by 2020. Oxfam estimates that the EU target can increase carbon emissions 70 times by 2020 because of the change in the use of land.

There is expectation that another report – the expected “Gallagher report,” a reference to Ed Gallagher, an academic at the head of the Agency for Renewable Fuels of Great Britain – to be released later this week, leading to a review of the goals of Great Britain – Britain and the European Union on the use of fuels derived from plants.

The British government introduced a percentage of 2.5% of biofuels for transport in April last.

Oxfam calls for caution

For developing countries, Oxfam recommends caution in the conduct of its programs to produce biofuels, because although they are “an alternative source of sustainable energy for the poor in marginalised areas, the potential economic costs, social and environmental can be high” .

These countries should plan its programs for long-term, avoiding ambitious targets and analyse the impact of biofuels in society.
Oxfam also provides recommendations for companies and investors. The NGO in its report suggests that they should make sure that none of biofuel project takes place without first obtaining the consent of local communities, and should promote access to energy in remote areas.

Alcohol sales in the home market by the end of May (adding up anhydrous and hydrated) recorded an increase of 31.6% over the same period in 2007. In the case of hydrated ethanol, growth was 43.6%. Antonio de Padua Rodrigues, technical director of Unica, said that the product exporting in the months of April and May, totaled about 600 million litres, exceeding 59% in the volume board in the same period of last year’s harvest.

Trying to solve this problem Brazil government is boosting its output of ethanol made from sugar cane without hindering efforts to increase food production. Brazil is the world’s largest sugar producer, and it is expected to use the majority of the cane it harvests this season to make ethanol.
Most of the studies show that there are additional efficiencies to produce biofuel from sugar and also there are more benefits in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.

On the other hand, U.S. ethanol is made from corn, which, could be exported to feed the hungry, and benefited from tariffs that block Brazilian ethanol, which is produced much more efficiently from sugar cane.

There is a second stage of biofuels that is under development with cellulosic materials, and a number of people highlighted that because it may be a way of avoiding some of the energy costs but without using current food production.
Cellulosic ethanol is a type of biofuel produced from lignocellulose, a structural material that comprises much of the mass of plants. Lignocellulose is composed mainly of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Corn stover, switch grass, miscanthus and woodchip are some of the more popular cellulosic materials for ethanol production.

The World Bank also has blamed the boom in biofuels for the rise in global food prices. That has put Mr. Zoellick in a ticklish position. Before taking his job at the World Bank, he was U.S. Trade Representative, and defended U.S. agricultural positions. In his Thursday news briefing, he didn’t mention the U.S. by name, but he praised sugar-based ethanol of the sort made in Brazil and questioned whether tariffs to block the fuel — such as the U.S. uses — make “economic sense.”

That means Brazil no longer needs to import energy from other country to supply its necessity. On the other hand Brazil is becoming a Global Exporter since its production is large.

Brazilian drivers are used to being able to use whichever fuel they want, currently the drivers has at least 4 types of fuel to choose from » gasoline, diesel, ethanol and natural gas.

Many of the cars produced recently can use two types of fuel at the same type also known as “hybrid vehicles”. In big cities like Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro many drivers are adding natural gas tank to their cars to save money.

Brazil is the World’s leading Country in Bio Fuels! Over 30 years ago in order to find a renewable and greener source of fuel, the Brazilian Government started the “Ethanol Boom” and has been successful ever since; for today, 8 out of 10 cars manufactured in Brazil have the so called “Flex Power” engines. These engines can run both in Alcohol Ethanol as well as with gasoline in any blend

Let us dream about a World free of CO2! Let us take part in this Green Revolution that Brazil has started. It’s no longer a dream… It’s reality!!! Well at least in South America! How about the WHOLE WORLD gone green?
Let us make that happen! mother earth will thank us!

source » http://youtube.com/watch?v=sfVVRFa5KDc