8. Biomass: Assessment of Bioenergy Potential Within Existing Energy Systems

Biomass is generally represented by an organic material that can be used to produce heat or allowed to decay and emit natural gas. In the form of wood, this has been done for centuries. It is still widely used as a predominant heating source in poorer countries. The uncontrolled use can lead to desertification. It is an environment-friendly source that does not add to global warming since the carbon dioxide produced when it is burned equals the amount absorbed by the photosynthesis that originally produced it. But carbon savings are decreased by additional services that are necessary for its agricultural production, such as transportation and needed agricultural operations. Unsuitable agricultural practices can rise to erosion. An expansion of biofuel production affects water availability and pesticide use. The growth of industrial crops for biofuels requires large areas of land, which can lead on a large scale of exploitation to disaster. Also the massive switch from food production to growing industrial crops will lead to the growing shortage of food, especially in developing countries.