Regardless of whether you think we need to regulate our economies based upon greenhouse gases, you must recognize that we need to limit those gas emissions. Which means that the US and China need to make some pretty big changes. It turns out so does Indonesia. No, it’s not the third largest economy- not by a long shot. Nor does it house tons of industry.
But, Indonesia has been wiping away its rain forests. Mostly, because it is among the largest producers of palm oil. And, our consumption of palm oil is going to radically increase- not because it will be used as an edible vegetable oil, but for biodiesel fuels. And, there’s a burgeoning problem in the US because of this.
There is a tug of war between agribusiness (who want to produce more biodiesel) and environmentalists (who feel this is a grave climate change issue). Each is pushing the EPA (the US Environmental Protection Agency) to free or regulate the incorporation of palm oil into diesel fuels here.
The EPA was awarded jurisdiction of this issue in 2005, when the renewable fuel standard was imposed as part of the Energy Policy Act. (It was expanded in 2007 to include the need to cut greenhouse gases and included diesel fuels.) This is why we have ethanol blended in our gasoline. The selection of any additive- ethanol or biofuel- must be 20% cleaner than the traditional fossil fuel it replaces. Which is now the problem with palm oil substitutions. By including the costs of deforestation in its environmental considerations, the EPA preliminary analysis (27 January 2012 Federal Register notice) determined there is only an 11-17% reduction in emissions, with the incorporation of palm oils in diesel fuels. If that stands, palm oil will not find its way into US diesel fuels.
Obviously, this proposal, if adopted, will also have tremendous foreign policy implications. Indonesia and Malaysia are banking on this very lucrative industry to fuel their economic growth. And, some species (tigers, elephants, orangutans, etc.) are bound to lose their valuable habitats, as these forests are cleared.
Right now, the European Union imports a lot of these oils- because it made its ruling in 2008, before deforestation affects were ever included in environmental regulations. (There are discussions afoot to change these regulations as a result.)
The largest single user of palm oil is Unilever (an Anglo-Dutch firm), which employs some 1.4 million tons a year of the oils. You can find these oils incorporated in various products- Dove soap, Magnum ice cream, and Vaseline product lines. Unilever is trying to convert all of its raw material needs to sustainable systems by 2020- where now only 2% have such lineage. The current world usage of palm oils is 50 million tons, of which only 10% (at best) are derived from sustainable sources, according to the certification authority, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil [RSPO]). Of these supplies, Indonesia produces 50% of the palm oil, with Malaysia closely following with 37%.
Now, here’s where it gets “cute”. Just like with our fossil fuels, which are blended and combined from various suppliers, it is difficult to discern from whence any one gallon of product truly obtains. So, companies are buying “certificates”, which are issued by RSPO to plantations they have certified as sustainable. Each certificate is tied to one ton of palm oil produced. And, other companies buy these “certificates” as proof the palm oil they purchase is from sustainable stocks- regardless of from where the palm oil is obtained (since it is impossible to know, unless you build your refinery on or contiguous to that plantation, since all palm oils are mixed).
Could you imagine buying your bottle of Chateauneuf-du-Pape wine that way?
First, I’d like to say that I’m voting for you for dictator of the world…but then I realize if you are a dictator then we didn’t vote you in so let me know when we storm the castle and I’m there. 🙂 I don’t expect much of a reward for my service, Ohio would be nice…and really no one really likes Ohio so really it isn’t much lol. (that is from yesterday’s reply in comments)
Bio fuel is something I am not sure I get behind any more than I get behind fossil fuels. It kind of makes me feel like we are a swarm some kind of advanced locusts. I don’t mean to sound like some kind of whacked conspiracy theory person but I have to believe there is technology out there that can support us and our transportation that does not require a traditional combustion engine. I site that back in the 40’s there was an every day person who designed the Tucker car capable of 40 miles per gallon. Had we stayed on pace with that kind of engine design where would we be now. Which is neither here nor there because we didn’t. That said though our knowledge since then has expanded radically so what’s the hold up.
On second thought, I’m not joking about making you dictator of the world it’s about time we had both a Jewish person and a man of science run things for a while.
Cheers Dr. A!
Lisa Brandel recently posted..The Painted Lady by Lisa Brandel
i’m skipping your first paragraph completely… But, I do appreciate your vote of confidence. (Better practice your curtsies!)
Now, let’s discuss this second paragraph rationally.
You don’t want to consider a more rational approach to fuel because you don’t like the internal combustion engine. Hmm. So, everyone should stop driving, stop transporting items by truck, stop picking people up and moving them by bus, etc. because you have a problem with the internal combustion engine.
I have a better idea- one that is inherently MORE doable. Reserve our petroleum fuel for motive uses. Because using solar energy to power a car requires an awfully large footprint. And, batteries could work in the future- if we get the power/volume ratio up to a reasonable value.
Use wind power, solar power to provide electricity and to air condition and heat our homes, business, and factories. Because we have the land. Of course, we need to upgrade our power grids- which is long overdue (I have written before about this and have a real scary one coming up in the queue.)
Because, i love science fiction, but need to live in science reality.
Roy
This was a fascinating, complex, yet EXTREMELY well-written story Roy. It had a “TIME” magazine feel and tone. Excellent!!
Tor Constantino recently posted..Brag on Your Pet (because I can’t brag on ours)!
Tor, I truly appreciate your comments! Thanks so much…
Roy
Thanks for this post. I’ve been reading a bit about bio-fuels of various kinds and it does seem to have quite a few problems.
While the idea of fuel from things like waste cooking oil seems appealing, it seems to be a much more murky area when you consider effects like the ones you mention in Indonesia.
Commercial growing of the crops for bio-fuel often don’t seem to be as green or sustainable as we’d like them to be.
Alastair recently posted..Algae Biofuel Becomes Available to San Franciscans
There is no perfect anything, Alastair. We need to make a decision (political, economic, and technologic) as to what we value more and follow those precepts.
And, yes, commercial growing of crops may not be green or sustainable, given the fact that each country has its own ecological standards (or lack thereof).
Thanks for visiting AND commenting.