Global Biomass Supply and Sustainable Development

Abstract

Biomass – in form of nutritional energy and energy-rich material – is not accounted for in conventional energy statistics. It constitutes a neglected energy carrier although it has ever since provided the basis for human life and activity. In this work, we assess current global draw on the earth’s biomass resources by examining the indicators ‘Ecological Footprint’ and ‘Human Appropriation of Net Primary Production’, quantifying humankind’s biomass demand and the earth’s biomass supply. It is revealed that humankind appropriates about 20–30% of the ecosystem’s supplying capacity. Other definitions partly suggest lower and higher values. We then use the energetic metabolism accounting concept to acquire data on biomass supply for the past centuries to complement conventional energy statistics. It is disclosed that the actual energy supply to humankind is about twice as high as conventional energy statistics essentially suggest. Depending on the approach taken, current biomass supply amounts to 10–12 TW or to 14–15 TW. Against the results yielded, ideas like substituting fossil resources with biomass in the future for the provision of energy services to mitigate the current energy and climate crisis might be controversial to the achievement of sustainability.