From: http://sustainablebiofuels.wordpress.com

Biofools is a term currently being used in public discourse to describe leaders supporting contemporary biofuel technology.  Agrofuels (first generation agriculture-driven biofuels) have this spurred environmental and social backlash.  Destruction of natural resources and famine has been realized by the hand of agrofuels.  Becoming privy to the work being done by Almuth Ernsting has given me new thoughts about which technologies we choose to fund and implement with respect to agrofuels.  Additional considerations regarding environmental and social issues beyond energy production must be viewed with a more focused lens before technological implementation.

The Gallagher Report released by the Renewable Fuels Agency last week has called for employment of the European “precautionary principle” with respect to agrofuels in England.  In short, Gordon Brown is expected to bring about a slowdown of first generation biofuels to determine sustainability.  Some fuels derived from sugar cane and animal fat are considered “sustainable,” but what does this mean exactly, and to whom?  Moratoriums on certain crops are not out of the question, however, and there will be an upcoming clash with the US.

Ernsting believes that this slowdown is not sufficient, and that a total moratorium on biomass-derived liquid fuels should be enacted. He states:

“…biofuels from agricultural and forest residues that should be returned to the natural cycle because they play an important role in maintaining soil fertility and bio-diversity. Biofuels from true waste, such as biogas from manure or landfill, or waste vegetable oil, are not agrofuels.  Biofuels from algae are not agrofuels either.”

Many definitions of sustainability revolve around energy production efficiency and exchange, but other concerns are often not considered.  One outstanding issue is the future use of GM plants and microbes to produce biofuels and the potential ecological impact.

Past science and society courses have told me that there is a lack of forethought with respect to biotechnology (we can do this, but should we really?) which leads to ethical dilemma.  Is a moratorium too extreme an action at this point, or just what we need?  Ethics tells us that the deontological argument is to respect our duty to planet earth and humanity to prevent deforestation and hunger.  However, ideological contrary to this is our perogative to preserve the order of the contemporary earth, which requires energy.  Teleology complicates these sentiments by guiding us to think that the lives of millions in starvation cannot outweigh our need for liquid gold.  However, if oil reserves are completely drained without the necessary preparation, how many more will die?

This being the case, second and third generation biofuels will have bigger shoes to fill regarding public sentiment, research, and investment.  Hopefully, slowing down production of first gen biofuels may divert more grants and investors their way.  Cellulosic ethanol production is ramping up, and demonstration plants are being built by companies such as Mascoma.  Some capital investments are aimed at procuring fuel technology without forethought to environmental and social impact.  The fuels investors of the future must take this in mind because sustainability is a multifaceted problem in which energy in and out is not the only determinant of success.

To view the entire Gallagher Report, click here

For more infomation about sustainable biotechnology, visit http://sustainablebiotech.wordpress.com

Picture Source: http://blog.livedoor.jp/kiwahori/

TreeHugger recently posted news about San Francisco's plan to renew its Victory Gardens that were started in an effort to have US citizens grow their own food during World War I and II. The country's Victory Gardens actually produced 40% of its food at the time and in SF's Golden Gate park alone, there were around 250 garden plots. What a great way to become more self-sufficient in food and not have to go to the supermarket for your veggies!

San Francisco's City Hall lawn will be turned into a huge plot for veggies and starter kits will be made available for those who want to take this on in their own home.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/05/dig-for-br...

In order to know everything about domestic photovoltaic energy. What have you got to do before installing photovoltaic sensors at home? Which investments are necessary? Which helps and tax credits can you benefit? Which devices can work thanks to the electricity produced ; go on the website www.economiedenergie.fr

For the moment, the website is written in French but in a few weeks, this website will concern all european countries: all major themes will be treated in a local aspect (national market, local regulation...).

It is really interesting and objective (no brands...).

I really hope you'll enjoy it!

Don't forget the blog if you want to react http://blog.economiedenergie.fr/

The Toyota Prius, the world's most popular hybrid, will have solar panels on the roof of its new high-end models to help power the air conditioning, according to a Japanese report.

The Kyocera solar cells would make Toyota the first major automaker to use solar power for a vehicle, the Nikkei business daily reported.

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Just a few more days until our 11th Hour showing http://www.theatrharlech.com/index_en.php  My husband has been papering the the outlying communities with our poster http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Shynney/11thhrPoster.jpg so there shouldn't be anyone unaware locally that 11th Hour is being shown.  He traveled around mostly by public transport, bus and train, and had some interesting conversation.  Just about everyone wanted to display the poster.  Some were intrigued that it was Leo involved with the film.  Now we just have to see who makes the effort to come.  We are rather remote and it would mean quite a lot of traveling for some people.

 Another development was that The Welsh Environment Agency has become involved too.  It has appeared in our local paper that they are sponsoring the film but guess what they really want to do is distribute information about what the agency is doing.  Think this is great as its means we have got to our local government involved too.

 We are excited by the chance to see this film that we love so much on the big screen again so whatever happens know we are going to enjoy it.  We think it is a great film, so beautifully made and edited with such an uplifting message. 

Kids on Earth (www.kidsonearth.org) is an ongoing, worldwide art project with a mission to inspire kids to raise awareness about global warming and the environment through their creativity.We are asking for writing and art submissions from kids between the ages of 5 and 12. Basically, we want you to show or tell us what's most important about your world. This could be a drawing of the earth itself, or a picture of letter about something or someone who means the world to you. Remember, creativity makes the world go around!

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www.kidsonearth.org

In this era of scouring the earth for the magic bullet in home building, few ideas can compete with the weird, pragmatic beauty of the used shipping container. Cheap, strong and easily transportable by boat, truck or train, these big steel structures now litter the ports of America as mementos of the Asian-trade imbalance. (Many more full containers arrive on US shores than depart, so ports either ship them back empty -- to the tune of about $900 per -- or sell them.)

Hurricane proof, flood proof, fire proof, these metal Lego blocks are tough enough to be stacked 12-high empty -- and thus can be used in smaller multistory buildings. Used containers (which can be picked up for $1,500 to $2,000) often have teak floors and sometimes are insulated.

They trump most other forms of green building because, in the current economy, they are virtually a waste product. Making a building (which can last and last) out of what is essentially a huge piece of industrial waste takes recycling to a new level.

In the past couple of years, a field known as container architecture has evolved, offering the hope that what was once only a post-industrial pipe dream can emerge as a practical new building form. A handful of architectural firms around the world -- from New York to New Zealand -- have built prototypes or plans for shipping-container homes.

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=65C9OLvmjpI

AS I LOOK BEYOND,

REALITY I SEE.

A BEAUTIFUL POND,

MADE JUST FOR ME.

THOUSANDS OF TREES,

STANDING ALONE.

WHERE THE HONEY BEE,

CREATES HIS HOME.

AND TINY INSECTS,

STEADILY PLAY.

BUILDING THEIR DOME,

A PLACE TO STAY.