Back to Green Basics: Bio fuels - As an Alternative Source of Energy

There is a current dilemma and ongoing debate for how and what we can use as alternative fuels to power our cars, homes, appliances, computers and other oil dependant machines. The main source of our current fuels (crude oil) are from fossils which are extracted from decayed bodies of ancient creatures, a large portion of which are found in the Middle East.

Little did we expect that the answer to the scarcity and expensive consumption of oil in the world is in the hands of our natural and replenishable resources. Ironically, we have come full circle and rediscovered how natural and abundant resources such as plants can produce eco friendly alternatives to oil. This essentially brings us back to the basics, to the time where our ancestors lived by survival of the fittest, in the absence of technologies we are so used to today. We just need to rediscover things and be creative in order to find what better alternatives there are.

Currently, a lot of studies are being conducted to answer this call to minimize cost and the negative effects in purchasing and relying on crude oil. This is due to the fact that the non-renewable energy that is sourced out from fossils will soon be depleted and as long as we are completely dependent on it, all of us will suffer from it. We need an energy source that is as renewable as it is environmentally friendly.

Hurray! An answer has come to town. and most of us can't believe that we have found alternative sources of fuel from plants. This alternative source of energy is collectively called Bio Fuels. Bio Fuels are sourced out from different living organisms or from waste of animals and food products. To be classified as a bio fuel, these fuels must be from of at least 80% renewable sources.

Several bio fuel technologies have been pursued. Following is a list of some of the recently studied plants and wastes as source of energy:

   1. Jatropha
   2. Algae
   3. Vegetable Oil Waste
   4. Swine Waste
   5. Hydrogen Fuel from Non-food sources
   6. Bio-based Butanol
   7. Woody Biomass Resources
   8. Bacteria on ancient living creatures
   9. Sugarcane
  10. Hydrogen form Farm Waste
  11. Hydrogen-producing bacteria
  12. and more (some sources for research)

There have been a lot of documentation on several of the above listed. Others are newer and people may not be familiar with them. The bottom line is that the quicker we can remove our dependency on non-replenishable and environmentally harmful fuel sources, the quicker we can begin to reverse the negative effects they have had on the planet. This does not even begin to mention the overwhelming amount of blood shed, corruption and greed that has stemmed from our dependency on said fuels.

Bio Fuels are just one new technology becoming more popular and studied in an effort to help the planet. Many alternative materials, such as organic cotton, hemp and bamboo are becoming more prevalent in the world as well. These materials can not only be used to better the environment from traditional cotton and other clothing, but they aid in restoring the soil and reducing harmful toxins and chemicals on the planet as well.

Mother earth has a lot to offer us. It is up to us to use the resources available to us wisely, and use our brains and technology to plan ahead for future generations. We must act now and be in the know! Be a green advocate and promote environmental conservation and preservation!