As the global economy spirals into economic depression and fuel prices fluctuate wildly, many average Americans are starting to take notice of a need for change.  The current administration was elected on a campaign of change, and we are hopeful that a greener, more sustainable source of fuel and power is truly an objective.  The U.S. dependency on foreign oil is a source of many violent conflicts, and the pollution emitted by our heavy use of fossil fuels is contributing largely to global warming as well as environmental pollution that is impacting the health of our families.

The capability to wean ourselves off of fossil fuels exists, as biofuels are a green and sustainable alternative, but their use has never been implemented on a large scale in the United States.  Perhaps the new administration can recognize that this is about more than saving money or creating new jobs, and is the only way to create a sustainable future.

Usually a pioneer in new technologies, the United States is far behind when it comes to the use of biofuels.  Much of Europe uses these biofuels, with many countries generating at least a quarter of their heat from this source.  Sweden heats over thirty five percent of homes, businesses, and other buildings using biofuels and operates boilers that work at an astounding ninety percent efficiency.  When considering the large strides taken by so many other nations, it is hard to comprehend why we have not taken similar measures.

Political motive aside, however, it is rapidly becoming common knowledge that we must wean ourselves from fossil fuels and biofuel is by far the most commonly accepted alternative.  Safe, clean, and sustainable, biofuel can be used in existing systems with only minor alterations, making it a cheaper and more fluid transition for the millions of Americans who would need to upgrade automobiles and heating systems.  The question is not whether we need to wean ourselves from this dependence, but rather how to go about making the change.

Many public transportation systems and college transport vehicles have already made the change to biofuel.  While this is only a small step, it shows the public that biofuel is reliable and effective without causing need for fossil fuels.  The consumer market, however, seems to be easier to convince than many in the energy production industry.  Many facilities seem to ignore the concept altogether, even as emissions standards change in an attempt to create new methods of energy production.  Tax incentives for consumers offer great encouragement in a struggling economy, but the idea is only sustainable if there is a constant and easily accessible source of biofuel in every area of the nation, presenting problems for early adopters of the new technology.

The attempted weaning of the United States from fossil fuels to biofuels will need to undergo a shift in its targets to be largely successful.  While attempts to start with consumers and end users have been moderately successful, it is industrialists, businesses, and energy producers that must be encouraged to begin implementing the fuel en masse, creating a viable market and the consensus among consumers that the fuel will be available universally.  When this is achieved, the consumer market will be much more receptive to a cheaper and cleaner source of fuel.