Concern aired over impact of biofuels on biodiversity

Environmental non-government organizations and peoples organizations have expressed their concern and called for a thorough scientific assessment of the risks of using biofuels and a moratorium on all forms of financial support to biofuels pending the outcome of this assessment.

The Ecological Society of the Philippines cautioned that instead of biofuel, the government should harness renewable energy, urge the citizenry to lower their consumption patterns and embark on a massive reforestation program throughout the country.

Antonio M. Claparols, president of the  ESP, explained that no less than the United Nations warned that large scale production of biofuels is already having devastating impacts on indigenous peoples, whose lands are being targetted for oil palm expansion and the expansion of other monocultures, triggered by the commodity boom caused by steeply rising demands for biofuels.

The use of large scale monoculture plantations, including genetically modified trees is planned for second generation biofuel production.