Ban: Weigh biofuels' benefits, costs

UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- The benefits of using biofuels need to be balanced against potential costs to the environment, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.

Speaking to journalists in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil, after visiting a nearby ethanol plant, Ban said he was aware of the issues surrounding the biofuels movement.

"Some fear that land currently used to grow food will instead be turned over to fuel," Ban said in a news release issued from New York. "Others worry that forests will be cut down to make way for biomass plantations. Still more worry about the effects on the environment and biodiversity."

Because of these concerns, governments must assume the lead in managing biofuels' use and ensuring that benefits outweigh costs, he said.

"Brazil is the quiet green giant. It leads the world in renewable energy," Ban said. "It has one of the cleanest energy economies in the world. Brazil is one of the few nations to successfully produce biofuels on a large scale."