Cattails, kelp and a beautiful future

The same day I began reading this month's Ode about energy generation and green energy I heard the most beautiful interview on National Public Radio on ethanol and other fuel alternatives.

The program was Science Friday and in it the host interviewed a biofuel advocate, David Blume (author of "Alchohol Can be a Gas"). I would highly recommend Ode put Mr. Blume on the short list of people to interview for future articles---if only to hear him paint beautiful pictures of a world where alternative fuels are promoted on a local grass-roots level and alternative fuel sources are plentiful and actually environmentally beneficial.

He spoke of how things like kelp and cattails could easily be grown and actually used to clean up some of the wastes from farm run-off that end up in rivers. He explaind that these natural detoxifiers could then be used as easily renewable sources of energy. The kelp could thrive on and clean up some of the "dead-spots" that have become hypoxic in our oceans. The cattails could suck up some of the run-off and waste before they get into our rivers and oceans.

I was also a bit surprised to hear him dispel the idea that there has been a shortage of corn because of ethanol demand. Everything I have heard in the media up to this point has said because of the ethanol demand other corn-based products like food, grain for animals, etc have all gone up in price. Mr. Blume explained that there is still, in fact, a surplus of corn and millions of bushels left untouched in silos around the country. He explained that the price jumps were actually due to people in the markets playing the futures to make big gains at everyone else's expense. He said that this could be avoided if legislation was in place to protect the markets from this type of corruption and exploitation.

If you have been worried about the price of oil or gas or the future of energy in our country, I would strongly recommend you listen to this short radio interview. I do not know how realistic or applicable the ideas actually are, but just to hear the beautiful possibilities was a real pick me up. You can hear the interview here:

www.sciencefriday.com/program/archives/200808153

Have an inspired day. Mike in Boston www.myskinbetter.com www.emilyskinsoothers.com