• Last updated 6/30/08 by dana1981

Government Support According to estimates from the EPA, the transportation sector accounted for 27% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States (not to mention, transportation is a major contributor of air pollutants such as carbon monoxide and nitrous oxides).  Some believe that corn ethanol is the answer to this problem.  The government, for one, has been a huge proponent.  President George W. Bush signed the Energy Policy Act of 2005 into being and increased requirements for the amount of corn ethanol to be mixed with gasoline from 5 billion to 7.5 billion... read more

• Last updated 7/25/11 by teej

Algae Biodiesel   A promising biofuel option for the future is oil from algae. Shell recently announced that it is partnering with HR Biopetroluem to create a facility on a Hawaiian island that will grow microalgae to be used as biofuel.  Algae fuel is classified as a third-generation biofuel.  Additionally, due to the high-density yield of algae biofuels, one acre of land is able to produce 100-420 Mb of biodiesel.     Is It Worth It?   Pros of Algae Fuels   Biodiesel from algae is a highly carbon negative process, meaning more carbon is... read more

• Last updated 6/14/08 by organicgal007

Could the Jatropha solve the energy crisis? I believe it can be 1 piece to the puzzle. This amazingly well adapted plant can grow just about anywhere that has poor soil conditions and/or little rainfall. With so much of the planet experiencing droughts and our water usage for normal everyday life skyrocketing, why not plant a crop that is tolerant of low irrigation? Jatrophas can grow in very sandy, well drained soil or rich soils supplying a higher yield. They have even been found thriving in the crevices of rocks surviving on the humidity in the air. On the other hand... read more

• Last updated 5/30/08 by stins

  "If you care about global warming ... then you've got to care about what's happening in Indonesia right now."   What’s happening in Indonesia?  The rapid deforestation, draining of peatland, and burning off to accommodate palm plantations.  And why is palm oil such a big deal?   Palm oil is a common ingredient in foods, cosmetics, and increasingly biofuels.  The demand has been increasing quickly, partially due to the rush to replace transfat rich partially hydrogenated oils with industry favorite palm oil.  Palm oil is now in about 10% of supermarket products, and... read more