1st generation biofuels

Question 1

Two types of 1st generation biofuels:

• Biodiesel can be made from……..
• Bioethanol can be made from

Answer 1

• rapeseed, sunflower or soybean oil

- plants such as sugarcane, sugar beet a cereal crops (wheat, maize etc.)

Question 2

Give 1 general argument for and 1 general argument against 1st gen biofuels

Answer 2

For - reduces greenhouse gases?

Against - damages the environment in other ways

Question 3

Are 1st generation biofuels sustainable?

Give the 3 overarching reasons why

Answer 3

No

• Environmental damage
• Displacement of subsistence farmers
• Cost of food

Question 4

How do 1st gen biofuels impact the environment and carbon footprint?

Answer 4

Deforestation of tropical rainforests to grow biofuel crops means some crops have a higher carbon footprint than fossil fuels.

Question 5

……..… produces 105g of CO2 per mega joule of energy

Answer 5

Palm Oil

Question 6

Soy bean produces ………. of CO2 per mega joule of energy

Answer 6

103g

Question 7

Why is cost of food increasing as a result of biofuel crops?

Answer 7

• Grain is being used for biofuels rather than food

and less land is being used to grow food crops so food prices are increasing.

Question 8

Fill in the Gaps:

In …….. world grain consumption for biofuels was ……..

by ……… this ……….. to ………

Answer 8

2000
1%

2010
increased
6%

Question 9

Food prices have ………… between …….. and ……..

Answer 9

doubled
1990
2010

Question 10

How many countries are growing biofuel crops in Africa?

Answer 10

30

Question 11

How are biofuels impacting subsistence farmers in Ethiopia?

Answer 11

Government want to open land to foreign biofuel investors, threatening 85% of the population who are subsistence farmers.

Question 12

In which country has 18% of the land been cleared for biofuels?

Answer 12

Indonesia

Question 13

What are the environmental issues in Indonesia?

Answer 13

• Land being cleared for palm oil

- Species like the Orangutan are at risk of extinction

Question 14

Give the name of a 1st generation biofuel that is potentially a more sustainable solution

Answer 14

Jatropha

Question 15

Give 4 benefits of Jatropha

Answer 15

• Can be planted on most types of land so less land cleared, putting fewer species at risk
• Provides jobs
• Works alongside food production so food supply not limited and food costs not increasing
• It can be used to generate energy, which can be exported and/or the countries it is growing in can be self-sufficient.