Food and fuel webquest

1. What renewable energy is available for consumption?
2. Renewable energy from Soybeans? What is a soybean?
3. Soybeans are amazing! What other uses do they have?
4. We grow soybeans in the U.S. What other countries grow soybeans?
5. How is the soybean used in the production of biodiesel?
6. Why is biodiesel the 'rock star of fuels?'
7. Food vs. fuel: not that simple.
8. Are higher food prices the result of increased demand for biofuels (biodiesel from soybeans or ethanol from corn)?
9. Become a renewable fuel expert.
10. Blog!

What renewable energy is available for consumption?

Food is fuel for the body—and it can also be used as ‘fuel’ or energy for transportation! But should we use plants for food or for fuel? Can plants be used for both purposes?

Plants that are used to create energy are referred to as biomass or biofuels. A renewable energy source can be re-grown or re-supplied (soybeans, corn) unlike a nonrenewable source (oil, coal). Nonrenewable sources will be used up before the earth’s natural processes can regenerate more. Soybeans can be used for biodiesel fuel, corn can be used to produce ethanol, canola seeds and sugarcane can also produce fuel.

Use the circle graph and information on this page to answer these questions:

• How much of the 2004 energy supply comes from renewable energy?
• How much of this renewable energy is produced from biomass?