The Obama Administration has set a goal to more than triple America’s biofuels production in the next 12 years. But biofuels are controversial. Some environmentalists argue that the production of biofuels actually increases pollution, and that as land use shifts in favor of biofuels, fuel crops can displace food crops. In this documentary produced for the BBC World Service, Gerry Northam delves into the debate over the true price of biofuels. He begins in Paraguay, where the soy industry has expanded to accommodate the growing global appetite for biofuels.

The recent oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico has highlighted the need for safe and efficient alternative sources of energy. But even alternative energy sources can have a negative environmental impact. The BBC’s Gerry Northam continues his investigation into the pros and cons of biofuels, with a look at what’s next in the pipeline.