Fueling the future: Evaluating the sustainability of biofuels

Dana Haine, University of North Carolina, School of Education

In this activity, students consider the impact and sustainability of use of different classes of biofuels on the economy, the environment, and society. Students also learn about bioelectricity and how converting biomass to electricity may be the more efficient way to fuel cars in the 21st century.

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Notes from our reviewers

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Students might need some guidance on how to find reliable and scientifically sound background information in their research. Some of the support articles are more than five years old. Given this fast-moving technology, teachers might try to incorporate more recent support articles.
Biofuels are one solution to reducing humans' use of non-renewable fossil fuels and to reducing the greenhouse gases that result from their burning. Students explore the potential of biofuels as a renewable energy source. Comments from expert scientist: A very enjoyable and informative presentation, but it gives the impression that biofuels can solve all of our problems.