Developing Local Solutions to Local Problems

The push is on to develop non-edible feedstock for biofuels. The most popular approaches are cellulosic bio-alcohols and algal biodiesel. But there are other non-edible feedstocks for biodiesel, including Jatropha Curcus. The shrub does not tolerate frost well, but that only means that jatropha is more appropriate for tropical climates than temperate ones. Mexico is one example of a country well sited for growing jatropha.

Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: GCEH) announced today that it has formed a 50-50 joint venture with Los Angeles Businessmen Stewart A. Resnick and Selim K. Zilkha, both highly accomplished entrepreneurs who have developed successful agricultural & alternative energy companies. The joint venture’s mission is to acquire and develop non-food based land in Mexico to grow Jatropha curcas and commercialize oil and biomass derived from its fruit and seeds. Global Clean Energy Holdings and the joint venture partners have created a wholly-owned Mexican corporation to pursue these acquisition and development activities. Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc. will manage the operations of the corporation and expects to consolidate the results for financial reporting purposes.

Under the terms of the joint venture, the investors will provide the capital to acquire the raw land and fund operations. The land the joint venture will plant and grow Jatropha on is non-productive land that has never been used for food production or for other agricultural purposes. __Source

Mexico's petroleum production has been dropping steadily, and the country is in need of other cash crops for export.

Meanwhile, north of the US, Canadian researchers are learning how to adapt algae for biodiesel production in conjunction with energy plants fired by coal and tar sands.

Backed by oil companies and utilities, Canadian researchers are plowing ahead with plans to develop algae farms that will convert carbon dioxide from oil sands projects and coal-fired power plants into biofuels, chemicals and fertilizers.

Algae ponds that use photosynthesis to feed on CO{-2} are common in warmer climes, but until recently, few thought they would be productive in Canada's harsh conditions. Now a consortium led by the Alberta Research Council has completed research that suggests the algae would thrive under northern light and temperatures, with an appropriate covering for winter months.

"What we are doing is transferring [the algae systems] into more temperate climes, which is a big step and something that no one ever believed would be viable; but we have demonstrated that that's not true," John McDougall, chairman of the Alberta Research Council, said in a telephone interview after presenting results of the first phase of the project to research partners. __Source

The journalistic spin on the story suggests that CO2 sequestration is the primary motive behind the Canadian project. In reality, the high prices for oil present justification enough to attempt to recycle precious CO2 emissions as bio-fuel.

The latest climate data are not reassuring to CAGW true believers. Rather than an imminent global warming, the threat is for global cooling instead. Global cooling presents far greater dangers of food shortages, reduced length of growing seasons for crops, more droughts, and a generally less hospitable environment for humans.

Al Gore is building a huge empire based upon the public's gullibility regarding climate. He has been aided by the wild-eyed Professor Hansen, the one you see on all the news and talk shows in spite of being so heavily censored by political opponents.;-) But how long can this disingenuous duo continue to dupe the media and the public?

Biofuels is not about reducing CO2. It is about providing abundant and renewable energy sources as part of an overall energy portfolio. The idea is to match local resource solutions with local problems.