When I think of biomass, I think of the silver DeLorean in “Back to the Future” where the professor was able to turn garbage into fuel for his time machine. When that movie came out, the idea of using banana peels to power your engine was probably thought of as ridiculous. But today, humans can use all sorts of natural, renewable vegetation and substances.

• agricultural crops and residue
• wood and wood waste
• animal waste
• aquatic plants
• organic components of municipal and industrial wastes
• trees, bushes, plants
• waste byproducts from humans and animals
• forestry
• some molecular matter such as bacteria

Solar energy is also considered a biomass. Biomass by definition, is organic, non-fossil material of a biological origin either living or recently alive. Thus making this group the most readily available, renewable, never-ending supply of alternative fuel. Biomass energy can replace fossil fuels, which produce greenhouse gas emissions upon burning and can also have a devastating effect on the environment during collection. Biomass energy is already used in many ways. Multi-fuel heating systems utilize this fuel source using oxygen to help burn the heating fuel, then force the heat out through the system. Ethanol is already a consistent additive to our gasoline. Not all biofuels are as green as others. Corn and grains grown for energy production do not go to feeding cattle and livestock. This increases the cost of meat and dairy products (not to mention the water, cleared land and fertilizers used to grow them). Most of these materials will need to be destroyed to gather the sugars and cellulose that are used to convert biomass into usable energy. Be careful in what you support, do your research and know your options Here I would caution using all materials that take considerable time and resources to replenish. I consider burning dead trees a green practice. However, when you cut down good trees to make firewood, that is no longer a green solution. We need to benefit our environment, lower our overall carbon footprint and create jobs, like enabling farmers a way to actually turn a profit as they do their part for our green economy.