Other countries in Latin America are following in Brazil’s footsteps in developing eco-friendly biofuels with the support of groups such as Inter-American Development Bank. The most important producers in the region are Guyana, Jamaica and Barbados.

So far, the most recognized use of biofuels is in ethanol, a gasoline mix of biofuels and fossil fuels (oil). Brazil has developed to a point at which it exports a surplus of ethanol, and the vast majority of motor vehicles are of a flex-fuel design. Furthermore, the original ethanol “recipe” was 85 percent gasoline and 15 percent biofuel, but Brazil gradually has improved the mix to 75 and 25 percent.

Currently, the main use of biofuel is for the production of ethanol, a gasoline mix of biofuels and fossil fuels. Brazil has been able to optimize their production to a point where they are exporting their surplus. The majority of their vehicles are also able to efficiently use ethanol. They are finding new ways to improve the original recipe of 85 percent gasoline and 15 percent biofuel. So far, they have managed to get a recipe of 75 percent gasoline and 25% biofuel.

In addition, biofuels emit far less carbon dioxide, or CO2, into the atmosphere compared to fossil fuels. Most scientists view carbon dioxide, produced during the industrial age, as a prime cause of global warming that could place the Earth’s entire ecology at risk.

Brazil’s Courageous, Controversial Investment

Brazil became an eco-friendly pioneer with biofuels during the 1970s, at a time when other nations were turning their backs. Ethanol at the time cost three times more than gasoline. Brazil had an edge, with a culture of growing sugarcane rooted in centuries of tradition. Still, government leaders needed to make a massive infrastructure investment that was not always popular, especially during times when world oil prices bottomed out.

The event that would trigger Brazil’s decision to develop ethanol was the Middle East Embargo of 1973. In order to encourage the private sector, the Brazilian government gave large subsidies and tax exemptions. By 1990, Brazil was no longer dependent on other countries for energy. The 1979 Fiat produced in Brazil was the first vehicle to run on ethanol in the world.

Brazil is now considered the expert in biofuel and has started to share its expertise with he rest of the world. They are focusing on helping developing nations in Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa.

Other nations are working to develop their own biofuels with resources at hand. European countries are focusing on wheat and sugar beets. Southeast Asia’s product of choice is palm oil. Chinese farmers are growing sorghum, and in India the crop is jatropha. The United States may gradually switch from corn to soybeans and switch grass. Some nations, such as Great Britain, are developing solid biofuels with the use of everything from dried farm manure to everyday trash.

Even though other countries have made large investments, they have not been able to produce a biofuel that surpasses Brazil’s sugarcane.

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