Comments on: Biodiesel and Political Crop

By: David Bradley

David Bradley — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 09:53:11 +0000

More on political crop: As of now, all petrol (gasoline) and diesel which is sold at UK pumps now has to include at least 2.5% biofuels. This figure will rise to 5% by 2010. Is this the silliest thing you ever heard or a great idea to kick start the reversal of climate change? db

By: David Bradley

David Bradley — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 06:23:07 +0000

Susan, that is is certainly one of the concerns that have been raised. If the energy/pollution costs of producing and using biodiesel is higher than refining and using petroleum, then the net effect could be detrimental.

By: Susan

Susan — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 03:29:22 +0000

From what I’ve heard, it could actually accelerate global warming as it appears to be not very efficient.

By: David Bradley

David Bradley — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:47:30 +0000

When I read about carbon trading an image of a broom shuffling dust and detritus beneath a rug comes to mind…

By: Johnx

Johnx — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:16:52 +0000

David,

I agree with your assessment. In the U.S., the farmers are spurning the U.S. “conservation” payments, which in turn means the Gov pays less money. It seems that “fuel” crops pay too well. Of course, we subsidize the cost of turning food (or feed) into fuel. One can hardly see the gain or loss in government accounting, so there is nobody that knows, only those of us (at least myself) who regard it as highly suspect — just as I view this new kind of money called “carbon trades”, by the way.

To answer: No, I think she bought something that could equate to bathtub gin. The market is unregulated.

By: David Bradley

David Bradley — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:22:14 +0000

@JohnX – Sorry to hear about your car. Did the biodiesel she added come up to the ISO spec the Turkish team I quote mentione?

@spostareduro/JohnX Personally, I cannot see how it can be balanced with current economics and environment. Given the fact that the whole biofuel hype is something Bush has pushed for (following massive lobbying from those who’d produce the crops), I suspect it is a serious scam, as is much of the garbage we are being force fed regarding climate and pollution. If only they could harvest that as renewable biomass…

By: spostareduro

spostareduro — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:13:16 +0000

Thanks for this David. I’m sure this has been a question on quite a number of people’s minds. Bill and I discussed it a bit as I sent him your link. Awareness is good. Educating ourselves with fact as opposed to hearsay from naysayers is always key.

By: Johnx

Johnx — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:36:03 +0000

As an aside, one of my daughters tried biodiesel in my diesel driven Merc. $800 later the car was back on the road.

Using food crops to make fuel quite simply consumes so much energy and creates so much land degradation, and deprives the market place of reasonably priced food, that it almost appears to be a scam.

On the other hand, promising techo is working. Here’s one for producing ethanol that has caught the eye of big industry: http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/20199/?a=f