Maquis Biomass for Energy; Costs and Benefits

Abstract

Apart from the unquestionably accepted energy crisis we must not close our eyes to the ecological crisis. Attempts for the alleviation of the Former are frequently considered radically erroneous by those who evaluate the latter as of primary importance. This controversy is well illustrated in the nuclear power stations issue. Those who are earnestly involved in the pressing need for tackling the ecological crisis have recently begun to realise that it is sheer romantism to deny facing problems inherent to economic development (as fur instance the establishment of nuclear stations); instead, they should provide their alternative solution to the problem. Today, the liquid fuel shortage has led to immense projects for the exploitation of several different energy sources. Since coal or energy plantations and not only nuclear power stations create serious ecological problems, the role of ecologists is proven considerably important. In case of coal, the problems arising are land destraction by surface mining, air pollution by SO₂, increase of atmospheric CO₂, etc. The solution of the energy plantation sort presents again several implications though fewer than with coal, such as arable land decrease, disadvantages innate to monocultures, replacement of natural ecosystems by agroecosystems etc.