With the approach of the European winter, the demand for fuels is boosted. The biodiesel leveraged, perhaps, by diesel, also shows the largest increase in their prices over the last four years. This market trend favors, without doubt, the transition towards the use of green energy.
These fuels more friendly to the environment continue to gain ground in contexts of sustainability and quality of life. This is because scientists and technologists continue to study and study the advantages of its use. Recently the publication Aerosol and Air Quality Research collected an interesting study of the experience of members of the Brazilian Institute of Health and Sustainability, the Experimental Laboratory of Poluicao Atmosférica and the Department of Pathology of the Faculty of Medicine and the Institute of Advanced Studies of the University of Sao Paulo.
From these instances in Brazil, a team of four researchers was consolidated, joining forces to carry out the «Assessment and Evaluation of Impacts on Public Health with the Gradual Implementation of Biodiesel in the Energy Matrix of Transportation in Brazil». In order to estimate the impact of adding different levels of biodiesel to common diesel. This to produce changes in the concentrations of microparticles emitted by automobiles.
The group of scientists concentrates its study in the cities of greater population of the country, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. In order to deepen the advantages of using biofuels to reduce the impact of Greenhouse Gases. But also as a preventive measure and control over the consequences that environmental pollution has on health.
The extension of the study comprised a lapse of 10 years, from 2015 to 2025, in which the use of biodiesel was increased to 20%. The simulation carried out showed the sensitive impact on health indicators related to the environment.
The World Health Organization has encouraged support for initiatives like these. It is essential that public policies become guarantors of environmentally sustainable lifestyles. Not only these 2 American metropolises pollute the air with huge amounts of microparticles. Almost all the big cities of the world support their systems of transport and loading with diesel. And the emissions of this fuel are highly harmful to health.
The researchers revealed figures that reach 108 thousand deaths associated with fevers and 240 thousand hospitalizations related to these polluting factors. It should be noted that the simulation was done on the basis of controlled parameters. Such as the levels of concentration of microparticles, equal to those registered in 2012, even though in reality the tendency is to gradual increase. The same as that of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, linked to air pollution.
The public health benefits derived from responsibly assuming the elimination or reduction of sources of contamination were demonstrated once again. Like the economic benefits for nations by reducing their air pollution footprint. The contribution of Evangelina Vormittag, Cristina Rodrigues, Paulo de André and Paulo Saldiva with their study leaves open new windows for the reduction of greenhouse gases.
Taking into account that biodiesel, such as rapeseed, for example, can be used without having to make modifications to original diesel engines, the heavy vehicle market is open to stimulate the biodiesel mixture. There is even an increasing tendency in several countries to legislate in this regard, although the deadlines for action are still lax. However, we can expect the materialization of healthier public policies.
Although Latin America has increasing levels of biodiesel production, slightly more than half of this is destined for export. Its main destination being the European continent, although until recently, it was the United States. Now, shortly before the arrival of winter, which is expected every year more crude, demand increases. During the first week of October, the price of rapeseed oil surpassed the highest peak reached more than 4 years ago. 1134.5 dollars per ton in European reference markets.
Although Europe is the largest producer of rapeseed oil in the world today, soy-based biodiesel is shown as an alternative Argentina in the old continent.
It is also true that diesel rises and why not the tendency to mix it with biodiesel?
Undoubtedly this increase also favors European producers who can aspire to increase their margins. Biofuels are positioning themselves better and better in a global renewable energy market. Also as profitable sustainable crops because of its high resistance and the little care it requires. However, the main threat to a greater biodiesel boom lies in the commercial factors that determine high tariffs between some countries and others, as well as in the insufficient pressure for its use in almost all nations.
The world population increases steadily and the need for transportation also increases. The fuels that move them are required with the same demand. Biofuels may be taking the necessary momentum in the face of better informed public opinion. With social actors more aware of the responsibilities of each and every one in the framework that houses the diversity of planet Earth.
Is the time to complete the shift towards responsible lifestyles with LIFE approaching? The available technology and the use of available resources show green light to make it so. The stretch that remains to walk imposes greater responsibilities that do not exclude anyone. Now, what would be the share of responsibility to achieve healthier consumption patterns? Without any doubt the biodiesel appears to be in the focus of all of them.
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