The biofuels They can be classified into first, second and third generation according to the type of raw material used to make the fuel.
The first generation biofuels They were the first to be manufactured and are the ones that arouse the greatest concern since food crops are used as raw materials. Among which are corn, sugar cane, soybeans, among others to make bioethanol y biodiesel.
The US and Brazil are pioneers in this type of biofuels and are the largest producers since they have developed this kind of alternative fuel much earlier than in other countries.
This type of biofuel is viable in the short term since the use of agricultural land for crops that are later used to manufacture biofuels without generating it is limited. food insecurity or food price problems for the poorest sectors of the population. As well as environmental problems such as soil depletion, deforestation, among others.
It is expected that in a few years only a minimal proportion of the total production of biofuels will be of the first generation and that the second and third generation will be the most used due to their greater sustainability over time since they do not use food crops.
An important variable to keep in mind that the climate change it affects the yield of crops so it is not advisable to force through intensive cultivation to produce fuels.
The UN encourages the use and production of biofuels but in several reports shows its concern to avoid food crisis global derivatives of biofuels for which it recommends to countries and companies the development of types of fuels in the medium and long term.
Important technological advances are being achieved in the second and third generation since they are the most suitable to replace the Fossil fuels that dominate the market today.
It is important to take advantage of the benefits of bioenergy without creating new social and environmental problems.