A 'failed experiment'? Biofuels under the spotlight as EU scrambles for alternative energy

[littlemissmartypants]

By Liam Gilliver EuroNews
Published on 02/04/2026 - 7:00 GMT+2
Updated 15:21

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Biofuels are often touted as the silver bullet to weaning the world off fossil fuels, but they do come with a slew of disadvantages.

Many biofuels are made from staple crops like corn and soybeans, which can lead farmers to prioritise growing fuel over food. This can drive up global food prices and deepen food insecurity, particularly in low-income countries.

Last year, an investigation in Congo found that an EU biofuel project risked the nation’s food security, despite claims that only “degraded lands” were being used.

According to a 2023 study commissioned by T&E, Europe wastes land the size of Ireland on crops for biofuels. This land could be used to feed 120 million people, or could absorb twice as much CO2 if given back to nature.
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https://www.euronews.com/2026/04/02/a-failed-experiment-biofuels-under-the-spotlight-as-eu-scrambles-for-alternative-energy

[NNadir]

1. Thanks. It's interesting to note that enthusiasm for biofuels has quite a bit to do with the death of the...

...Mississippi delta ecosystem, specifically eutrophication of the river from runoff of fertilizer from the Iowa cornfields dedicated to biofuels.

It's a tragedy, and not really sustainable in any form.

Unfortunately, Iowa, a very red state, gets to sort through our preliminary list of Presidential candidates before the rest of the country. (It made Jimmy Carter, biofuel enthusiast.)

I have never understood why this is, why Iowa.

[littlemissmartypants]

2. My pleasure, NN. I'm very glad to found it interesting and I appreciate your reply.