 Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
There are worries that second-generation of biofuels from wood would encourage expansion of tree monocultures, which bring along its associated ecological concerns.
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Biofuels debate insight on BirdLife website
08-10-2008
The word biofuels – or agrofuels as some prefer to call it – has been on news headlines sometimes as ‘the answer to energy security’ or ‘the solution to climate change’. While other times as ‘fuelling an ecological crisis’ and ‘pushing millions of people into hunger and poverty’. How could these very contradicting statements describe the same thing? And why are more and more people, particularly those who have the environment at heart, increasingly opposed to the use of biofuels?
BirdLife International has launched a new website section devoted to explaining the many issues around biofuels, with a focus on the global impacts of current biofuels on the environment, biodiversity and the climate.
"In recent weeks we have witnessed a massive disinformation campaign from the biofuels industry. Our new web-section gives easy access to the actual science helping people to judge for themselves" —Ariel Brunner, EU Agriculture Policy Officer, BirdLife International
The website also presents BirdLife’s criticisms to the European Commission’s proposal on the Renewable Energy Directive, which sets a mandatory target of biofuels used in the transport sector, and suggests a way forward to ensure sustainable bioenergy development.
BirdLife International holds a strong position against the mandatory use of unsustainable biofuels at EU level. This website section provides solid and reputable evidence for anyone interested in understanding the biofuels debate, at a critical time when the proposed Directive is being voted at the European Parliament and discussed in the European Council.
Credits: BirdLife in Europe