Chapter 17 - Environmental Lessons—Making Bioenergy System Decisions That Benefit the Environment

Abstract

In an increasingly climate-conscious world, decision-makers have to weigh options in terms of their costs, benefits, and detriments in order to adapt to the effects of changing climate, reduce the severity of such impacts, and support ecosystem recovery when climate impacts are experienced. Bioenergy systems can be a means to provide alternative sources of energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions; though problems associated with bioenergy systems include eutrophication and acidification. Furthermore, this can lead to other issues such as disruption of soil carbon balance, soil nutrient depletion, air quality impacts, and, ironically, greenhouse gas impacts if not managed carefully. Therefore, a holistic approach to bioenergy that recognises and values all of the impacts (ecological, economic, and social) is necessary. That is then compounded by consideration of the different bioenergy stakeholders and their perspectives.