Question

suggest an explanation why making and using biodiesel has a smaller effect on the percentage of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than using petroleum-based diesel.

Answer 1

Biodiesel is being produced from plants. The combustion of biodiesel gives the same quantity of CO₂ to the atmosphere which was used during the plant/s existence. So the natural carbon cycle works. But to call a biodiesel an ecologically safe fuel is impossible. It gives less emit of the exhaust gases than the ordinary fuel. But it is not zero.