Nonetheless, the ecologists demonstrated their critical attitude towards the results of the research.
Lately, the use of biofuel is regarded as one of the most efficient ways to reduce the emissions into the atmosphere by automobiles, motor transport and even by planes. At the same time it generates the most heated discussions because a series of researches shows that, in a number of cases, the nature deterioration caused by biofuel proves to be more marked than the deterioration caused by the use of petrol and diesel fuel.
These scientists take into account the factor of a so-called "indirect soil exploitation", which implies an expansion of areas meant for agricultural crop growing at the expense of forest tract, capable of absorbing carbon dioxide.
The purpose of the second generation biofuel is to reduce a soil exploitation by means of using rubbish, agrowaste, organic minerals as raw material, which do not need a soil such as seaweeds. Unfortunately, a number of enterprises producing biofuel is not sufficient enough to produce the amount corresponding to the European Union standards, which anticipate a 10%-quota of alternative sources of fuel in common power consumption up to the year 2020.
The scientists of Utrecht University declare that, when using the factor of indirect soil exploitation in economic models, it is essential to take into consideration the ways of reducing its negative effect. The growing of agricultural crops on woodless areas with a concurrent increase in productivity proves to be an optimal workable solution to the problem. A collaborative growing of agricultural fodder and energy crops is also recommended. According to the reports of the Organization of United Nations, this solution can reduce the degree of worldwide land-tenure by three millions hectares.
This opinion is divided by European Association of ePure bioethanol producers. Robert Right, the Secretary General of the Association claims that the European Union states such as Poland have an enormous potential to increase the productivity of energy crops, and consequently it will allow to increase the productivity of biofuel without any additional factors of an indirect impact upon the nature. Moreover, it will permit to create a greater number of wokplaces and to augment the efficacy of resources exploitation.
Meanwhile, ecologists do not trust these conclusions. Kenneth Richter, the member of Friends of the Earth Association considers that the exploitation of abandoned fields usually falls short of high expectations. "During a long period of time we hear all these talks about the increase in productivity, and about the exploitation of barren land but we must ask why all these conversations have not swung into action.", declared sir Richter. "Presently the companies-producers find it much easier and cheaper to resort to deforestation, referring to economic difficulties in the process of increasing harvest productivity. Hence, all similar researches do not come up with any unexpected discoveries and cannot provide any compelling and powerful arguments in the discussions about the negative factors of biofuel production."
