Biotechnology is faced with the next Green Revolution

Currently, fossil oil, our major energy resource, has been facing a number of significant challenges. First, non-renewable petroleum oil will become extinct, and this will happen much faster than most people imaged. Second, the long-term consumption of fossil fuel has released tremendous amounts of carbon dioxide (greenhouse gases) into the atmosphere. This has produced one of the toughest natural challenges in history - global warming. Third, demands for oil and energy are increasing, and these are exacerbated by significant international conflicts. Last, the consumption of fossil oils has produced substantial amounts of air pollutants that are hazardous to human heath and welfare (some can cause cancer).

Faced with these challenges, biofuels are becoming a major player in terms of an immediately available alternative energy resource. Bioethanol (for gasoline) and biodiesel (for diesel) do not require significant modifications for existing engine systems to allow them to operate directly using blends of gasoline or diesel oil. Beyond these reasons, because it is cleaner than fossil oils, biodiesel produces 80% less carbon dioxide and 100% less sulfur dioxide emissions. It provides a 90% reduction in cancer risk. In addition, growing bioenergy-producing plants also promotes rural development

The primary energy source of biofuels/bioenergy comes from green plants. Plants are capable of efficient photosynthesis, which converts solar energy into chemical energy. For example, the chemical molecules of energy are sugar and cellulose for making bioethanol, and fatty acids for extracting biodiesel. While biofuels are burned in the engine of a car, this chemical energy is released, similar to fossil gasoline or diesel. Moreover, the use of renewable biodiesel or bioethanol can keep a vehicle engine running even more efficiently and longer because biofuels are cleaner.

In the near future, bioethanol/biodiesel will replace fossil oil consumption by as much as 15% in the USA and many other countries. This rate will only increase as our reliance on petroleum oils declines. Currently, bioethanol in Brazil and biodiesel in Germany are more popular than fossil fuels.