Biofuels to take flight on its Virgin Debut

I note, with interest, the first ever flight by a commercial airliner, is set to get off the ground, when Virgin, the Richard Branson owned airline, flies from London to Amsterdam, partly fuelled by Biofuel.

It will be another small step, in the worlds quest to steer away from the dependence on oil, but what impact will this have on the world in terms of farming and food production?

Biofuels has a large critical base. Whilst the fuel is produced from natural resources, the critics say, the negative effect on food production is intensified, when land, which should be used for cereals and other food products, is switched over to producing Biofuels.

By turning valuable land, used for food production over to Biofuel crops, the benefits to the environment are negated by the increased production emissions from the farmers.

Land that should be used for food becomes more scarce, thus pushing up food prices and causing famine in areas that are already at breaking point, both financially and physically.

However, I feel that the world should be exploited whenever it is feasible. Anything that is sustainable, should be used, wherever possible and ease the burden on the worlds naturally and expendable resources.

Any energy, which is used during the crop production causes Co2 emissions. However, this effect is more than balanced by the plants which uses Carbon Dioxide during the process of photosynthesis and production of Oxygen.

Of course, this theory, in a perfect world, is workable. In reality, there are too many political pressures that will always bring division. Especially when huge sums of money is involved.

I commend Richard Branson and his campaign to utilise Biofuels and I also feel, with good management practices, that a balance is easily achievable in creating the right environment in which this can succeed.

A lot of Biofuels are produced from the waste product after food production such as straw, wood chippings, animal dung and plants, specially produced for the purpose.

I see, in an ideal world, a way in which tax levied on Biofuel creation can help subsidise food production in poorer countries.

What do you think - is Biofuel production another attempt to make money or is a real solution to a real problem bring real and sustainable benefits?

I am keen to kick start the forums so if you would like to start or enter into a debate, why not pop over and have a rant, have a chat or start a thread?