Comprehension: Brazil Targets Biofuels Made From Sugar Cane

Brazil is the world's biggest sugar cane producer - growing 617 million tons a year - and now farmers have found a new use for their crop that they hope will open up new markets. They're turning the cane into biofuel - and say it could soon be powering commercial airline flights. 

Watch the video and answer the questions below.  Decide if the statements are True or False.

1.The test flight is flying from Campinas to Rio de Janeiro. 
a. True
b. False

2.Biofuel manufacture started in Sau Paula in the 1990's. 
a. True
b. False

3. Brazil plans to increase its production by 55% in the next ten years. 
a. True
b. False

For transcript and answers see below.

Transcript and Answers:

Could this be the future of aviation?  This test flight from Campinas in the state of Sau Paolo to Rio de Janeiro is the first to be entirely powered by biofuel made from sugar cane.  Brazilian airliner Azul hopes more sustainable flying will take off from here.

“We believe our fuel reduces the greenhouse gas emissions of the flight by 82% - but of course in order for this to be commercially viable we need to produce it on a much bigger scale.”

The raw material for that fuel is grown here, Ribeirao Preto in Sao Paulo state, home to 60% of Brazil’s sugar cane crop.  Biofuel manufacture started here in the 1980’s, and now producers say they’ll soon be able to use every part of the crop so nothing goes to waste.

“In the future we’re working towards making ethanol from this material, here, which is organic.  Burning these stalks to make electricity, we’re using the residual fibre of the sugar cane to make second generation ethanol.”

Biofuels are a hugely controversial subject, though.   Environmentalists and human rights groups say that production has led to deforestation, forced out local farmers, and taken up land that could be used for food crops.  Meaning, they’ve been blamed for rising commodity prices.   Advocates say sugar cane is more sustainable than making fuel from corn.  It has higher yields, leading to less deforestation but that doesn’t mean the ethical worries are over.

“There are lots of illegal activities around deforestation and converting land to sugar cane farming, but things are improving.  NGO’s and private businesses are trying to make rural producers aware that they must do things correctly.”


Despite these concerns, the biofuel market is booming.  Brazil plans to increase its production by 55% in the next ten years.  Azul, the country’s third biggest airline, hopes to incorporate the new fuel in its commercial flights, making flying all the sweeter.

Answers:
1. a
2. b
3. a

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