Powering the Future: Biofuels

Learning Outcomes You will be able to: Explore the different issues around Jatropha curcas Discuss the views of the different people involved

To help combat climate change the UK has a target to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by % of the UK renewable energy could come from biomass heat and electricity by To meet the European Renewable Energy Directive, the UK is aiming for 10% of transport energy to be from renewable sources by UK feedstocks made up 18% of the sustainable renewable road transport fuel used in the UK between April 2012 and April Facts and Figures

Biofuels are considered a solution to sustainable development, energy security and rising greenhouse gas emissions. Jatropha - high amount of oil in its seeds which can be converted into biodiesel. Countries could grow their own renewable energy source. However there are social, economic and environmental issues to consider. Background

The Present The burning of fossil fuels and subsequent release of carbon dioxide is thought to be responsible for climate change. With increasing global temperatures and the rising cost of fossil fuels we need to find an alternative soon! Is Jatropha the answer?

The Future Fossil fuels are a non-renewable source of energy and therefore they will eventually run out. The use of fossil fuels brings up issues around climate change and our increasing carbon footprint. These are some of the reasons to find more eco-friendly alternative sources of energy.

How to play 1.Split into teams of One person from the group reads out one of the character cards to the rest of their group. Is this person for or against Jatropha? Can you think of any arguments against what the person is saying? 3.Have a different member of the group read out the other character card. Is this person for or against Jatropha? Can you think of any arguments against what the person is saying?

How to play 4.Take a look at the options card for your round. Can you think of a way for the two sides to come to a solution? Rank the options available from most preferable to least preferable. You may want to vote on the best option. 5.Report your discussion back to the rest of the class. Who were your characters? What did your characters think of Jatropha? How did your group rank the options?

Voting

Lowering Carbon Footprint – key solutions 1. Money from the government should be invested in researching if Jatropha can be beneficial 2. Car manufacturers can continue using Jatropha but should be fined if 50% of their cars are not of an increased efficiency by Money should be invested in promoting more eco- friendly ways of travel and transport and not in Jatropha 4. Car manufacturers cannot use Jatropha unless they pay money towards its research

1. The farmer should be paid by the government to grow a trial of Jatropha 2. Environmentalists should help farmers grow drought tolerant food crops 3. Environmentalists should lobby the government to provide better access to water for irrigation and domestic use 4. Jatropha should not be grown until research has been done on the best areas to grow it and the best practices Environmental – key solutions

Social – key solutions 1. Local investors should focus on food crops only 2. Large companies should establish fair-trade agreements with farmers who grow Jatropha 3. Large companies should be banned from buying Jatropha and land directly from farmers 4. Farmers should only be given a license to grow Jatropha if they grow an equal amount of food crops or if they intercrop – grow food and Jatropha on the same land

Health – key solutions 1. Only edible varieties should be planted 2. There should be government regulations on the handling and disposal of Jatropha 3. Scientists should do more to develop non-toxic Jatropha 4. Jatropha should not be planted until a new variety is developed

Learning Outcomes You will be able to: Explore the different issues around Jatropha curcas Discuss the views of the different people involved