The use and implementation of alternative fuel sources has long been a hot-button issue. We live in a world arguably run by the oil industry and are just now seeing the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel in a major gas price crisis. Of course, there is also the whole pollution issue. Alternative Fuels not only present potentially cheaper options, but they also offer a much cleaner approach to powering vehicles and machinery than archaic fossil fuels. For example, biokerosene (kerosene made from biomass materials) could possibly lower the prices of jet fuel. Diesel engines could run on waste vegetable oil. Cellulosic ethanol may be a keystone to reviving the tired U.S. economy. And finally, the pros and cons of corn ethanol production must be seriously analyzed for the world to make the leap into utilizing alternative fuel technology. All these issues and questions are vital to efficient survival in the postmodern era. First of all, what exactly are biofuels? How do they differ from fossil fuels? Biofuels are gases and liquids that are created from the biomass of crops and other organic material such as animal waste and municipal waste. In other words, biofuels are produced through a glorified form of recycling. To produce biodiesel, fats and oils are combined with a catalyst and an alcohol. This process is called transesterification. It is efficient and clean. However, some countries argue that the use of crops to produce biofuels contributes to third-world hunger, but this theory carries little weight seeing as most of the crops used to produce biofuels were never intended as food sources. Regardless, oil is rightfully left out of the picture here. The sources of biofuels are rather interesting. As the production of biofuels increases internationally, it is enlightening to see different ingredients go into production. Germany produces biodiesel with rapeseed oil. The United States uses soybeans. Even Indonesia and Malaysia have joined in producing biodiesel with the help of palm oil. Other biodiesel sources include materials like recycled grease, vegetable oils including corn oil, soy oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, and animal fat or tallow.

It is no surprise that biodiesel engines burn cleaner than regular diesel. They lower greenhouse gas emissions and have fewer carbon emissions. Clean engines also contribute less to air pollution, smog and, therefore, global warming. The transition from fossil fuels to biofuels and the implementation of clean engines is less expensive and complex than any oil tycoon would have you think. This is because a supposedly civilized world has a huge oil dependency. We are addicted to this dirty material. Aircrafts, lawnmowers, cars and even some power tools need to run on oil. Plus, the suburban and exurban sprawl of modern neighborhoods and city planning requires us to be in our cars far more than it is healthy for the environment. If you doubt this oil dependency, simply look at the gas prices in recent years. They soared to over four dollars per gallon, and despite complaints, people paid them out of necessity. Furthermore, consider that the United States consumes 24 percent of all the petroleum in the world. The aforementioned civilized world is in dire need of alternative and renewable energy sources to kick our oil addiction and boost our fragile ecosystem.