Jatropha for bio-fuel

[Martyn]

Interesting article in National Geographic http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/04/080421-biofuels.html it features Jatropha as a plant that seeds produce 40% oil and can be grown on marginal non agricultural land.

The article also references the bio fuel company D1 Oils http://www.d1plc.com/ who look like they are getting into this on a commercial basis.

 

[Hltoppr]

The article hit the nail on the head. With food shortages in North Africa, Haiti and, IIRC parts of India, and increases in food costs throughout the world, it appears that many biofuels are just not sustainable in the long term.

I was surprised how quickly certain shortages and cost increases happened.

-H-

 

[egn]

I was surprised how quickly certain shortages and cost increases happened.

In my opinion there is no real shortage of food, there is a shortage of money in the poorer countries because of speculation at the commodity markets.

I think most of the problems in the poorer countries are caused by not growing food at home, movement of a lot of people into urban areas, local wars, corruption, all the free food programs of UNO and other rich countries. This caused this countries to become dependend on external help. Instead of giving the food for free there should be given help to grow the food locally.

Jatropa is certainly worth a try until it is found what problem a large scale growing causes. But first the poorer countries should try to grow food and not another fuel crop.

 

[Martyn]

The article hit the nail on the head. With food shortages in North Africa, Haiti and, IIRC parts of India, and increases in food costs throughout the world, it appears that many biofuels are just not sustainable in the long term.

I was surprised how quickly certain shortages and cost increases happened.

-H-

My take on it was slightly different from yours.

While I agree that production of bio fuels from food crops is not sustainable, or even desirable, making bio fuel from plants that can be grown on marginal land and do not need watering of pesticides I think is desirable.

 

[Ursidae69]

Excellent article, thanks.

 

[Hltoppr]

While I agree that production of bio fuels from food crops is not sustainable, or even desirable, making bio fuel from plants that can be grown on marginal land and do not need watering of pesticides I think is desirable.

:iagree:

-H-

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Interesting editorial in the SL Trib today that is related..
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_9001866

On "earth day" as well... That said their info is a little off, they are on the "believe the negative hype" bandwagon but I do think all of that stuff is important and needs strong consideration...

Anyway, I have been hearing about Jatropha for several years, it is indeed very interesting and promising. Also lives in nice harsh climates... I will hopefully catch this article soon. Martyn, love your interest in this stuff.. Also an FYI sounds like I will be doing the new 4x4labs web site and that Mercedes adapter is very much so strongly in the works... I'll give you a buzz about this! Cheers, Andre

 

[Martyn]

Interesting editorial in the SL Trib today that is related..
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_9001866

On "earth day" as well... That said their info is a little off, they are on the "believe the negative hype" bandwagon but I do think all of that stuff is important and needs strong consideration...

Anyway, I have been hearing about Jatropha for several years, it is indeed very interesting and promising. Also lives in nice harsh climates... I will hopefully catch this article soon. Martyn, love your interest in this stuff.. Also an FYI sounds like I will be doing the new 4x4labs web site and that Mercedes adapter is very much so strongly in the works... I'll give you a buzz about this! Cheers, Andre

Andre

I have been down a 4X4 labs quite often over the past month helping Seth from the Oil & Water project.

Last time I was there I got to see the prototype adapter plate for the diesel Mercedes. Unfortunately the company making the flywheel make a few errors when they made the trial one, so we have an other short delay.

I know that everyone is chomping at the bit for the conversion kit for the 300 TD, but Luke is working hard on it. Everything takes time and as the conversion project moves ahead Luke is running a business to pay the bills.

Glad to see you will be taking over the web site, it needs updating.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Another interesting editorial from the Times this morning...

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/24/opinion/24cohen.html?em&ex=1209268800&en=fd85238963ee23e2&ei=5087

 

[Johnny Dollar]

I read the article and it makes some interesting points.

I was surprised at how quickly the use of corn-based ethanol was institutionalized and subsidies handed out knowing that to take a feed and food crop off the table and into the tank meant some affect on pricing for foodstuffs in general.

Obviously, the kind of riots we saw in Haiti, Bangladesh, and Egypt over food pricing won't be likely to hit US shores, but those who crafted the policy had to have understood the ramifications of a such a policy on a global economy.

The most politically expedient thing to do turns out again to be the most problematic in the long run.