Algal biofuel production is neither environmentally nor commercially sustainable
The climate change-mitigating dream turns out to be a green damp squib.
Academic rigor, journalistic flair
Articles on Biofuels
Displaying 1 - 20 of 71 articles
Does the 2040 ban on new petrol and diesel cars mean the death of biofuels?
The great dream of cars running on sustainable petrol has not bitten the dust. Here's why.
Scientist at work: Bio-prospecting for better enzymes
Bio-prospecting is the search for useful materials from natural sources. A biologist explains what we can learn from bacteria about breaking down plant material, and how we can use that knowledge.
How to unlock the potential of papyrus wetlands in Africa
The capacity of woody biomass to provide the energy requirements for sub-Saharan Africa is declining. Papyrus wetlands are a sustainable source of biomass that holds potential to substitute for wood.
Biofuels turn out to be a climate mistake – here’s why
A new study challenges the longstanding view that biofuels are carbon-neutral, and asserts that in the U.S. to date, they have done more harm to the climate than gasoline.
Who should pay for our corn ethanol policy – Big Oil or gas stations?
A fight's breaking out over who should pay subsidies for corn ethanol, and it is consumers who may end up paying for any changes.
Australian communities are fighting food waste with circular economies
Australians send about 4 million tonnes of food waste to landfill each year – but what if we could use it for other purposes?
Renewable jet fuel could be growing on Australia’s iconic gum trees
Eucalyptus oil is useful for lots of things – what if that list also included carbon-neutral aviation fuel? Chemistry suggests it could.
Can we save the algae biofuel industry?
The economics of making biofuels from algae no longer add up, but a lesson from the oil industry could make them viable.
Aviation emissions are rising – and industry solutions are just technological myths
The airline industry's promised technological solutions have not arrived, and they never will.
How should America fund its highways in the 21st century?
Obama's proposal to add $10 tax to crude oil raises the thorny question of whether the U.S. can continue to fund its highway infrastructure with a fuel tax that hasn't changed since 1993.
Corn ethanol: the rise and fall of a political force
Ted Cruz opposes subsidies for biofuels and still managed to win in ethanol-friendly Iowa. Is corn ethanol starting to lose its political clout?
How a project with good aims delivered bitter outcomes in Sierra Leone
International development banks are supposed to ensure adherence to human rights in the projects they fund. Instead, their practices provide fertile ground for human rights abuses.
Are electric vehicles really the best option for greener driving?
Just because we've got electric supercars, doesn't mean it's the only way to a greener future.
Why smart agricultural development is needed in Africa’s savannas
Africa's savannas provide high potential for farming development but this needs to be done in a smart manner to not worsen climate change.
Air pollution causes more than 3 million premature deaths a year worldwide
Outdoor air pollution causes 3.3 million premature deaths a year, mainly in Asia. And without policies to cut particulate pollution from traffic, industry and home biofuels, the deaths could double by 2050.
Does bioenergy have a green energy future in the US?
The future of two key energy policies – the EPA's Clean Power Plan and Renewable Fuel Standard – will decide whether bioenergy will continue to grow in US or not.
Cutting emissions through biofuels will lead to water shortages – study
Climate change leads to increased likelihood of drought, but strategies for mitigation could make things even worse. How can we resolve the conundrum?
On the road: research can improve transport across Australia
A research focus on transport can help improve existing infrastructure and guide future developments, and tailor them to Australia's unique needs.
Desert farms could power flight with sunshine and seawater
What if you could grow biofuels on land nobody wants, using just seawater and sunlight, and produce food at the same time?
Top contributors
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Associate Professor in Agriculture, University of Sydney
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Assistant Professor of Energy Resource Economics, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
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Professor of Chemistry, Monash University
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Senior lecturer, Monash University
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Senior Research Fellow, Queensland University of Technology
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Adjunct Professor, United States Study Centre, University of Sydney
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Economist, Fenner School, Australian National University
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Lecturer, Department of Security Studies and Criminology, Macquarie University
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PhD Candidate, Political Economy, Macquarie University
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Senior Lecturer, Department of Microbiology, La Trobe University
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Professor of Strategic Management, Macquarie Graduate School of Management, Macquarie University
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Professor of Accounting, La Trobe University
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Associate Professor of Ecophysiology and Cell Biology of Microalgae, James Cook University
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Professor of Forestry Operations, University of the Sunshine Coast
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Postdoctoral Fellow, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne
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