Biodiesel from Waste Cooking Oil for Heating, Lighting, or Running Diesel Engines
Cruz, R. O. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Proceedings RMRS-P-58. p.22-25. National Proceedings: Forest and Conservation Nursery Association - 2008. 2009.
In my opinion, the dynamics of environmental degradation and the increasing demand for energy require humans to find alternative sources of energy. I see our world beset with four major energy related problems: (1) fossil fuel is running out; (2) a reduction in fossil fuel would harm the world economy; (3) fossil fuel is one of the central aspects to wars and rebellions; and (4) the earth is getting warmer due, in part, to the increase of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Not using renewable energy is expensive. For example, the United States gives the fossil fuel industry US$ 5 billion in tax money annually (Tickell and Tickell 1999), spends US$ 50 billion to maintain its military presence in the Middle East (Ramsey 1998), and has spent, as of 11 June 2008, US$ 528 billion on the war in Iraq (National Priorities Project 2008). Environmental costs are high too. It seems to me that everyone is talking about climate change, and for good reason. Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, mostly from burning fossil fuels, increased from 280 ppb in 1750 to 360 ppb in 2000 (Consumer Reports 1996). While CO2 does not directly affect health, synergistic effects are obvious, and lowering CO2 emissions from fossil fuels would reduce air pollutants, such as smog-producing ozone and particulate matter.
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Author(s): Rico O. Cruz
Publication: National Nursery Proceedings - 2008
Event:
Western Forest and Conservation Nursery Association
2008 - Missoula, Montana
