FUELED SWEET ENERGY

Brazil takes full pride in claiming that it is 100% electricity independent. The country has been making optimum use of its resources (high yield of sugarcane production) and has been using Ethanol fuel (fermented ethanol form sugarcane/corn biomass) in cars for over three decades making it the largest producer and exporter and also the third largest hydroelectricity producer of the world. A strong support from the government, along with continuous adoption of new technologies and cheap production cost has made it possible.

Ethanol became largely popular due to heavy subsidy rates but lost its reign to gasoline in the 1980s due to its price hike. New technologies with flexible fuel engines put Ethanol back on track in 2003 and by 2009, more than 88% of vehicles worked on “Flex” engines meant to be gasoline and ethanol. This gained worldwide recognition for alternative fuel as other countries such as US and Europe who are importers of Ethanol fuel form Brazil.

Although many areas of Brazil suffer from rampant poverty and staggering social inequality, advancements in alternative fuel technology came as a blessing of sorts for viable source of food security following the economic boom. There has been a rise in the economic sector as its output is 35% higher due to the focus on diverse energy production from sugarcane ethanol production to offshore oil extraction. This production also hampers job opportunities and employment in rural regions.

Ethanol produces close to one-third less energy than gasoline, which means less energy content ideally having a low rate. However, since it is used to replace gasoline and diesel the prices have increased. But this is a price one is willing to pay in order to save the environment from harmful greenhouse gas emissions. The rise of Biofuel in Brazil has also caused a fall in gas emissions by 600 million metric tons of carbon dioxide since 1975 contributing to saving the world from pollution and global warming.

Sugarcanes have been cultivated for more than 500 years now; making it the most efficient source of energy after oil. It is not only edible but also forms a renewable-energy source.  The Northeast and Southeast regions of Brazil hamper the production of sugarcane due to its fertile land and favorable climatic conditions. Traditionally sugarcane fields are burnt to remove leaves, debris and pesticides for harvesting. This causes exploitation of the land which is a possible threat to nature.

The land has also been a subject to monoculture cropping. As the natural yield becomes less and less over the years, farmers use heavy pesticides to maintain the level of production but it further causes vast areas of land degradation and growth of crop pests and diseases. Cities such as Sao Paulo are devoted to sugarcane cash crop cultivation. It drove out and denied other food crops, which increased their price. 

Every scenario has its advantages and disadvantages. On one hand Brazil is making the most of its resources, providing employment and being eco-friendly and on the other hand unethical farming methods are screaming out equal environmental disaster.  To be able to maintain a balance with smart farming techniques can lead to better results. 

Palak Singh

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