Biofuel: Brazil's Courageous Investment - By: Carlos Maldonado

World's Main Biofuel: Ethanol

The World's most efficient Biofuel: Ethanol

Currently, the most widely used biofuel is ethanol, a gasoline mixture of biofuels and fossil fuels. Brazil has come to a point where they can even export their surplus production and most of their cars can use the mix efficiently. They have also succeeded in improving the original recipe from 85 percent gasoline and 15 percent biofuel to 75 percent gasoline and 25% biofuel.

In addition, biofuels emit far less carbon dioxide, or CO2, into the atmosphere compared to fossil fuels. Most scientists view carbon dioxide, produced during the industrial age, as a prime cause of global warming that could place the Earth's entire ecology at risk.

Brazil's Courageous, Controversial Investment

Brazil has been investing in biofuels since the 1970's when other nations were closing their doors for the development of this alternative energy source. This was especially hard for the Brazilian government as oil prices were low.

The spark for Brazil came with the Middle East oil embargo of 1973. Investments were required in agricultural production of sugarcane, and in building new facilities, backed by government subsidies and tax cuts. By 1990, Brazil was producing 20 times more ethanol than in 1973 and had become "energy independent," an achievement that is the envy of other nations. The world's first automobile to run on ethanol was a 1979 Fiat produced in Brazil.

Brazil is now considered the expert in biofuel and has started to share its expertise with he rest of the world. They are focusing on helping developing nations in Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa.

Other nations are working to develop their own biofuels with resources at hand. European countries are focusing on wheat and sugar beets. Southeast Asia's product of choice is palm oil. Chinese farmers are growing sorghum, and in India the crop is jatropha. The United States may gradually switch from corn to soybeans and switch grass. Some nations, such as Great Britain, are developing solid biofuels with the use of everything from dried farm manure to everyday trash.

Even though other countries have made large investments, they have not been able to produce a biofuel that surpasses Brazil's sugarcane.

About the Author

Ariel Dess is an expert in assisting companies successfully import and export with Latin America. To access to his valuable resources, tips and links, click here marketplace

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Carlos-Maldonado/191911

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