Biofuels

A weekly review from a UK perspective

Quite apart from the long-shot chance that the venture could actually succeed, Exxon benefits from being able to brandish an environmental pin on its lapel, and its association with an authentic biofuels rock star. As Deutsche Bank's Paul Sankey told me in an email, "I think it's part R&D, part PR." Venter himself needed the cash injection, and could earn $300 million from Exxon if he meets certain unspecified project milestones probably associated with the economics of the algae.

Renewable power? Not in your lifetime
Seven Paths to Our Energy Future
Wesley Clark: Ethanol's field general
Energy Secty Chu's alternative choice
Can I Clean Your Clock?
World`s largest cement firms slash production emissions by a third

Adventures in Urban Farming
Lettuce From the Garden, With Worms
Experimental Farm Increases Ecosystem Services - Study

European Farmers Turn to Biogas Plants
Europe Mulls Huge Solar Project
Water for energy: The bad bet for biofuels

Book Review: Green Algae Strategy
Mining "Ice That Burns"
Human sewage to power thousands of homes

A mid-week review, including:
-Prices and production
-Airlines under pressure
-Update on China
-Briefs

A Green-Powered Trip Through Ecotopia
Why This Crisis May Be Our Best Chance to Build a New Economy
Sustainability Toolkit
Pedaling Produce for Village Building Convergence, Portland

Antibiotic problem haunts biofuels
Cool Proposal (artificial photosynthesis)
Green energy overtakes fossil fuel investment, says UN

When President Clinton made his first of six trips, Brazil was a poor nation that needed to borrow money from its wealthy brother. Today the roles are reversed. The USA now borrows money from the entire world while Brazil has money in its “piggybank”. The decisive change is that Brazil is on the way to becoming self-sufficient in oil and that they export ethanol, while the USA is becoming increasingly dependent on imported energy. Access to energy is decisive for a nation’s future.