Bio-Fuels
Bio-fuels are based on plants. They can be used to power cars, heat buildings or produce electricity.
The plant material is made up from carbon the plant has absorbed as it has grown. When the bio-fuel is burnt this carbon is released back into the atmosphere by other plants. As long as an equal amount of bio fuel continues to be grown the process is carbon neutral. The amount of carbon dioxide released is equal to the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed. The amount of carbon in the carbon cycle will remain constant and so no contribution to accelerated climate change is made. However if the machinery used to grow, process or transport the bio fuel (tractors, shredders or lorries) use fossil fuels this will contribute to climate change.
Wood is the most common form of bio-fuel in the world today. Coppicing allows wood to be harvested without the tree being killed. Because the root system is kept intact new growth is more vigorous than if the tree had been felled and a new tree planted. Short rotation coppicing involves cultivating fast growing species such as willow and harvesting the wood after 3 years growth.
Logs can be burned in open fires and in wood burning stoves outside of smoke control zones; they are widely available and often low cost.
