MANIFESTO

(University of California at Berkeley) points out that it takes twice as much
cellulose or wood to make the same gross energy as from corn. Additionally,
cellulose is trapped inside lignin, which requires an acid or enzyme to break it
down. After this, an alkali treatment is used to stop the acidity; and then bugs
must be introduced for fermentation. These numerous processes add up to
energy inputs that outweigh the energy output of cellulose.
Further diverting biomass for cellulosic fuels instead of recycling organic matter
to the soil will deplete soil organic matter and contribute to desertification and
increased vulnerability to drought.
While centralized agrofuel schemes are clearly not the way to respond to
climate change, research does show that decentralized small-scale, on farm
production of bioenergy can lead to a net energy gain without causing ecological
harm or generating food insecurity.