Environmental Effects

As previously mentioned, the raw ingredients of biodiesel are plant and animal

fats and oils.  Since biodiesel is created from environmentally friendly

substances, it is no surprise that it is environmentally superior to petroleum

based fuels. With the exception of nitrous oxide, biodiesel reduces the emission

of all greenhouse gases as compared to regular diesel fuel.  Carbon dioxide,

sulfur dioxide and hydrocarbon soot material are all emitted in lesser quantities

[Groszko 2].  Perhaps biodiesel’s most impressive statistics are a 78.5 percent

reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and a 35 percent reduction in carbon

monoxide emissions [Baker 1].   Furthermore, analysis of the net energy gain of

biodiesel shows that a 220 percent gain in energy output relative to the input

energy required to make biodiesel.  In other words, biodiesel is more efficient, in

terms of net energy output, than gasoline, diesel, and ethanol fuels.  This

translates into less fossil fuel consumption to make biodiesel and subsequently

fewer pollutants being released into the environment [Dartmouth 2].

Finally, biodiesel

reduces the risks

of fire- related

environmental

disasters because it

is less flammable

than regular diesel.

According the U.S.

Department of

Energy, biodiesel

has a flash point of

150 degrees Celsius,

which is higher than that of regular diesel fuel [US DOE - Energy].