TOEFL統合ライティング

📖 読解文章

The use of biofuels, such as ethanol derived from corn, has been widely promoted as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Proponents argue that biofuels offer significant environmental and economic benefits. First, biofuels are considered carbon-neutral because the carbon dioxide emitted during combustion is roughly equivalent to the amount absorbed by the plants during their growth. This cycle helps mitigate climate change by not adding net carbon to the atmosphere. Second, biofuels reduce dependence on foreign oil, enhancing national energy security. By producing fuel domestically from agricultural crops, countries can insulate themselves from volatile global oil markets and geopolitical tensions. Third, the biofuel industry stimulates rural economies by creating new markets for farmers and generating jobs in processing and distribution. This agricultural boost can revitalize rural communities that have suffered from declining incomes and population loss. Overall, these advantages make biofuels an attractive cornerstone of future energy policy.

🎧 リスニング講義

The lecture challenges the reading's optimistic view of biofuels. While the reading claims biofuels are carbon-neutral, this is misleading. In reality, producing biofuels requires substantial fossil fuel inputs for farming machinery, fertilizer production, and transportation. When these indirect emissions are accounted for, the total carbon footprint of biofuels can be comparable to or even greater than that of conventional gasoline. Second, the argument about energy security is flawed. Many countries that promote biofuels must import raw materials or rely on global commodity markets, which can be just as volatile as oil markets. Moreover, diverting agricultural land from food crops to fuel crops can lead to food price spikes and shortages, undermining social stability rather than enhancing security. Third, the economic benefits to rural areas are often overstated. Biofuel subsidies and mandates typically benefit large agribusinesses rather than small family farms, and the jobs created are often seasonal and low-paying. In fact, the shift to biofuel crops can reduce biodiversity and deplete soil quality, harming long-term agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods. Therefore, the purported advantages do not hold up under scrutiny.