Use of biofuel to help lighten effects of global warming
The use and promotion of biofuel in the country could be a "win-win solution" for both the people and the environment as the world is currently facing a phenomenon called global warming. The use of biofuel will also unlock the country's dependence on fossil fuel which price depends on the international market.
United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Project Director Michael A. Pitlock said the use of biofuel in the country will address the environmental problems brought by the use of fossil fuel. Primarily, the use of biofuel will reduce the emission of green house gases which contributes to global warming.
Biofuel is a fuel derived from biological and natural resources. In the country, there are two types of biofuels that are being promoted for use -- coco-biodiesel and bioethanol. Coco-diesel is derived from coconut while bioethanol from sugar cane. Studies show that the use of biofuels results in the emission reductions of hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide. Hydrocarbon is the main component of fossil fuel which includes petroleum.
Currently, the USAID, Philippine Clean Cities, Department of Energy and United States Department of Energy is now conducting a nationwide information education campaign regarding the alternative fuels such as the coco-diesel and bioethanol. They had a caravan in the city last Thursday. The group conceptualized the Sustainable Energy Development Program for Alternative Fuels.
Pitlock, in an interview added that the use of alternative fuel will have a great impact on the global warning. The use of biofuel will decrease air pollution in the environment. And the emission of green house gas will be reduced with the use of biofuel. "Man does not have to wait for the adverse impact of toxic gases on the environment and now is the time." The impact on the environment will be reversed with the use of biofuel.
The mass production of raw materials for the processing of biofuel will uplift the livelihood of people. Mass production mean more job and economic opportunities for the people. At the same time, the availability of biofuel in the market will reduce or decrease the price of petroleum-based products in the market, said Pitlock.
Petroleum products fall into three major categories. They are diesel fuel, finished nonfuel and feedstocks. The diesel fuel are fuels such as motor gasoline and distillate fuel oil, finished nonfuel products are solvents and lubricating oils. Feedstocks are for the petrochemical industry such as naphtha and various refinery gases.
The availability of biofuel in the Philippine market will also address the Filipino's dependency on the use of petroleum-based products. It is like hitting three birds in one stone. Different sectors will benefit from it and the environment will be free from toxic chemical compounds brought about by the used of conventional fuel, said Pitlock.
The use of biofuel is also being heralded in the country today with the recent approval of Biofuels Act or Republic Act RA 9367. The same law provides that all liquid fuels for vehicles sold in the country shall contain locally produced biofuel components.