![Sample our Engineering & Technology journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5933/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Engineering-Tech.jpg"})
Abstract
The US mandates for increased use of domestically produced biofuels will help to reduce the dependence on imported oil, yet it will necessitate the increased use of our earth and ecosystem services, our ‘natural capital’. Biofuels can be sustainably produced if we recognize the limits of our soil, water and air resources to provide these services. Many of the dedicated crops used for biofuels have a significant water footprint. That is, they consume water for growth and evapotranspiration, and a fraction of the agrochemicals used to obtain higher yields are leached into surface water bodies. This opinion summarizes the extent of this water footprint and explores mechanisms for reducing the resulting impacts.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.
