Originally posted by Kyrinn S. Eis
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Marginal lands - quite of bit of land that is only marginally suited to cotton is currently exploited to that end. This normally results in deserts, but can also result in sterility from saline factors. A better approach would be grasses that are better suited to the nature of the soil and water table. These can be converted to biofuels.
Algae reactors - Coupled with a diversion of the gas (CO2) from coal plants, algae reactors can produce bio-fuels with no impact to food supplies. Properly developed, this technology might actually be able to handle the oil crisis on its own. A brilliant French Phd working in the area told me that its not truly green. That would require sequestering the biofuel, rather than using it, to get rid of the coal CO2. But, it does get you a second fuel cycle out of the carbon without impact to food.
Re-Thinking Protein - Noted British environmentalist Lester Brown has pointed out that soy beans, a potential source of food and biofuel, are actually more productive when fed to chickens which are then consumed by people (I'm actually not fond of chicken. I'm not the world's biggest carnivore, but when I'm up for it, I'm very fond of burgers or New York steaks. Sacrifices will have to be made)
Water impacts, of all bio-fuel technologies, is another matter. The algae reactors are probably the best bet, but would require a fairly massive investment in pipeline infrastructure to carry the coal gas to the coast.
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