14
leads to further socio-political confusion in LDC (least developed countries),
LIFDC (low-income food-deficit countries) and NFIDC (net food-importing developing countries). However, a rise in the price of agriculture may stimulate agricultural production in both developing countries and developed countries.
It is noted that the extensional expansion of agricultural production for biofuels
might not only fail to contribute to reductions in GHG emissions because of the
outflow of carbon storage in the soil but also have adverse effects on agricultural
production because of biodiversity loss and decreased land productivity.
Furthermore, increasing agricultural production on the basis of economic incentives
induces the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides (Fike et al. 2006; Parrish and
Fike 2005). Increases in agricultural production resulting from economic incentives
seem to be predominant, which is inferred to induce adverse effects on the
ecosystem.
The consideration of importing biofuels and agricultural products for biofuels by
Japan, EU and some other countries is subjected to criticism, since the import of
biofuels and agricultural products for biofuels that are derived from agricultural
production in developing countries promotes environmental degradation. A valid
judgement is required for this issue. However, it cannot be denied that increased
agricultural production for exports plays a role in rural development. Areas with
high levels of environmental degradation have an advantage for biofuel production.
Biofuel production or agricultural production for biofuels in those areas might
improve the welfare of the world in terms of the efficiency of resource allocation
(FAO 2008).
2.4 Conclusion
While research results on the effects of biofuels on the environment from the natural
science perspective have accumulated gradually, there is still room for biofuel
research to be analysed. Not only existing scientific results regarding biofuels but
also new scientific knowledge should be consolidated for policymakers and stakeholders as scientific evidence. Biofuel utilization should be considered a trilemma
of global warming, energy security and food security, the promotion of agriculture,
in other words. Moreover, biofuel utilization is seen as one of the factors contributing to an acute increase in food prices. It is imperative to coordinate among international institutions, policymakers in many nations and other stakeholders to establish
sustainable biofuel utilization strategies based on adaptation/mitigation strategies
supported by various scientific results on biofuel utilization. Applying the concept
of sustainability science allows us to build these strategies. In addition, applying
sustainability science to establish sustainable biofuel utilization strategies may contribute to the global increase in building sustainability science.
H. Matsuda and K. Takeuchi
leads to further socio-political confusion in LDC (least developed countries),
LIFDC (low-income food-deficit countries) and NFIDC (net food-importing developing countries). However, a rise in the price of agriculture may stimulate agricultural production in both developing countries and developed countries.
It is noted that the extensional expansion of agricultural production for biofuels
might not only fail to contribute to reductions in GHG emissions because of the
outflow of carbon storage in the soil but also have adverse effects on agricultural
production because of biodiversity loss and decreased land productivity.
Furthermore, increasing agricultural production on the basis of economic incentives
induces the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides (Fike et al. 2006; Parrish and
Fike 2005). Increases in agricultural production resulting from economic incentives
seem to be predominant, which is inferred to induce adverse effects on the
ecosystem.
The consideration of importing biofuels and agricultural products for biofuels by
Japan, EU and some other countries is subjected to criticism, since the import of
biofuels and agricultural products for biofuels that are derived from agricultural
production in developing countries promotes environmental degradation. A valid
judgement is required for this issue. However, it cannot be denied that increased
agricultural production for exports plays a role in rural development. Areas with
high levels of environmental degradation have an advantage for biofuel production.
Biofuel production or agricultural production for biofuels in those areas might
improve the welfare of the world in terms of the efficiency of resource allocation
(FAO 2008).
2.4 Conclusion
While research results on the effects of biofuels on the environment from the natural
science perspective have accumulated gradually, there is still room for biofuel
research to be analysed. Not only existing scientific results regarding biofuels but
also new scientific knowledge should be consolidated for policymakers and stakeholders as scientific evidence. Biofuel utilization should be considered a trilemma
of global warming, energy security and food security, the promotion of agriculture,
in other words. Moreover, biofuel utilization is seen as one of the factors contributing to an acute increase in food prices. It is imperative to coordinate among international institutions, policymakers in many nations and other stakeholders to establish
sustainable biofuel utilization strategies based on adaptation/mitigation strategies
supported by various scientific results on biofuel utilization. Applying the concept
of sustainability science allows us to build these strategies. In addition, applying
sustainability science to establish sustainable biofuel utilization strategies may contribute to the global increase in building sustainability science.
H. Matsuda and K. Takeuchi