Políticas Públicas Voltadas a Produção do Biodiesel na Região do Baixo Sul do Estado da Bahia

Abstract

The present study discusses several interactions among the “Baixo Sul” of the State of Bahia, its population, its Atlantic Forest remnants and the probable impacts resulting from the expansion of the areas of palm oil plantations, for biodiesel production. This expansion is stimulated by Government Programs and Projects that aim at the alteration of the energetic matrix in use, based on fuels fossils by a cleaner one based on renewable fuel, especially, coming from agriculture. Brazil was always recognized by his natural agricultural vocation, which puts it in a strategically important position in this new world order. The advantages presented by the biofuels are undeniable, even in an environment more affected by climate change and a society more preoccupied with global warming and its consequences each day. It is not known when, but fatally the world oil reserves one day will be exhausted one day and substitutes will have to be found. Among the existing options, the Biofuels appear like one of the viable options. But the impacts produced by an indiscriminate expansion of the areas of cultivation and the effects on the native forests, other existing cultures, the populations and its way of life are little discussed. Finally, the study tries to demonstrate that the public incentive policies for the production of biodiesel are a positive factor of regional development, even more in a needing country like ours, but that right options must be adopted looking for models that reconcile economic development with environmental conservation.