Biofuels can be dirtier than fossil fuels

By IBTimes Staff Reporter | May 16, 2011 8:17 PM EDT

Biofuels may pollute the environment much more heavily if the process used to make them isn't done in the right way, researchers say. Conventional fossil fuels may sometimes be much "greener" than their biofuel counterparts, according to a new study.

University Research funded by a pair of U.S. federal government agencies found that taking into account a biofuel's origin is important.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers say, for example that conventional fossil fuels may sometimes be the "greener" choice compared with fuel made from palm oil grown in a clear-cut rainforest.

"What we found was that technologies that look very promising could also result in high emissions, if done improperly," said James Hileman, an engineer at MIT who published results of a study with graduate students Russell Stratton and Hsin Ming Wong.

"You can't simply say a biofuel is good or bad - it depends on how it's produced and processed, and that's part of the debate that hasn't been brought forward."
The study was funded by theFederal Aviation Administrationand Air Force Research Labs.

The study includes a life-cycle analysis of 14 fuel sources, which include conventional petroleum-based jet fuel and biofuels which can include biofuels that can replace conventional fuels with little or no change to existing infrastructure or vehicles, according to the report.

Factors used to calculate emissions include acquiring the biomass, transporting it, converting it to fuel and combustion.

"All those processes require energy," Hileman says, "and that ends up in the release of carbon dioxide."

Biofuels derived from palm oil emitted 55 times more carbon dioxide if the palm oil came from a plantation located in a converted rainforest rather than a previously cleared area, according to the report.

Biofuels could ultimately emit 10 times more carbon dioxide than conventional fuel, the report found.

"Severe cases of land-use change could make coal-to-liquid fuels look green," Hileman said. He added that by conventional standards, "coal-to-liquid is not a green option."

The research may have applications for industry as companies consider using biofuels, Hileman says.

One solution could be to explore crops such as algae and Salicornia that don't require deforestation or fertile soil to grown, according to Hileman. Neither requires fresh water.

New Information on Palm Oil and Asian Elephants

We are pleased to announce the posting of some great new materials regarding the palm oil crisis and its affect on elephants. Based on the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Palm Oil Awareness campaign, these resources have been customized to include information on Asian elephants. These materials have now been posted on the Elephant TAG website and include a palm oil fact sheet, shopping guide, candy guide, and sample letters to companies and government officials. There is still more to come!

Click here to access these materials.

Please share this information and encourage others to make a difference for Asian elephants worldwide!

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Becomes Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil Member

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is taking the next step in making a difference for orangutans and other endangered Asian animals affected by the palm oil crisis. The Zoo is now officially a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). Membership is contingent on a review by the RSPO, a process that took about three months to complete.



The RSPO is a non-profit association of international stakeholders from across the palm oil industry, including producers, processors, retailers, and conservation groups. The goal is to develop and implement global standards for sustainable palm oil. To achieve RSPO certification, members must meet stringent environmental criteria and protect native wildlife in the process.

Millions of acres of rainforest in Borneo and Sumatra are cut down every year to make way for palm oil plantations – the last place on earth wild orangutans are found. Palm oil is found in everything from cookies to shampoo to pet food. However, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo doesn’t feel boycotting palm oil is the answer. Indonesia and Malaysia are countries that struggle with poverty, and palm oil is a huge part of the economy. Additionally, oil palms are the most productive type of all the edible oil plants, and less land needs to be cleared to get the same amount of product. Using certified sustainable palm oil is a more effective and responsible choice because it comes from a plantation that’s committed to producing palm oil in a way that minimizes impact on wildlife, indigenous people, and the planet.

You can print off a copy of our Palm Oil Shopping Guide so you know which companies belong to the RSPO. Find out more about the RSPO and what you can do to help at our online resource center.

Robbie Little and his story of Bornean Orangutans

When we were in western Borneo, Indonesia, our visit coincided with a U.S. college student who was making a film. Here is an interview with him and at the bottom is a video he created. Many of the local people in the film were our guides in this community and Gunung Palung National Park. This video really immerses you and talks about a wide scope of issues.

Congratulations Rob, your video is well done!

Read the full article.

Yayasan Palung: "Saving the people to save the forest" from Robert Little on Vimeo.

5 Rare Sumatran Elephants Found Dead in Indonesia

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) -- Five endangered Sumatran elephants have been found dead in Indonesia, and conservationists said Sunday that they suspect farmers poisoned the animals to stop them from damaging crops.

The elephants - four females and one male all under the age of 5 - were found dead late Friday in Riau province on Sumatra island, said Edi Susanto, a government conservationist.

Susanto suspects that owners of nearby palm oil plantations used cyanide to poison the animals, which are known for damaging crops. He said an investigation is under way and samples from the dead elephants have been sent for analysis.

Read more...


Mother and baby Sumatran Elephants (photo does not represent the elephants mentioned in this article.

New Palm Oil Listserve

Conservationists, educators, animal keepers, zoo management and directors - people interested in sharing and receiving palm oil news updates and spreading awareness are encouraged to subscribe to listserve.

To join this listserve please click here.

Make a Difference for Wild Orangutans

There is a crisis affecting orangutans...the Palm Oil Crisis. How can you help? Learn more. Spread the word. www.cmzoo.org/conservation/palmOilCrisis­/



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