What is your view on Palm Oil as an alternative energy resource?

Question

Oil Palm plantations are growing at rapid rates in the tropical nations of Indonesia and Malaysia. These lands were once covered by upwards to 90% rain forest just a century ago, while that has declined presently to less than 50%. This is due largely to oil palm plantations. Palm oil has been used historically as a cooking and cosmetics additive with other uses. However, the palm oil industry is now booming with its realization of clean energy. Europe has turned to this clean energy in hopes of reducing the global warming problem. Palm oil is about 8-10 times as efficient as ethanol for power. However, rainforests are being slashed and burned at record rates in these nations, to make room for more palm oil plantations. These areas which were a rich are for trees and plants as well as animals are now being turned into an oil palm monoculture for profits. Think about how the atmosphere is effected when dense rain forests are being burnt down at blinding speeds.

Answer 1

I don't think using straight Palm Oil as an alternative energy resource is a good idea. I do think, however, that using Palm Oil biowaste from these mills would be a better alternative energy source that would help to elliviate potential groundwater contaminants.

Solid and liquid biomass waste is a renewable source of energy that could potentially be transformed into electricity, gas, bio-diesel and fertilizer to serve remote rural areas and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

I think if we educate the producers in this area about the potential their waste products have, we could influence them to conserve and become more aware of the impact they have on the local, regional and global environment. All businesses want to realize the savings of running an efficient operation. Therefore, showing that their waste by-products may hold lucrative potential may be just the incentive needed to spark this effort to "green-up" their biz.

Answer 2

Biofuels are useful on a limited scale but using them to supply all or even a significant part of your energy needs is a bad idea (especially since we farm to produce food, not fuel).

I'd personally prefer synthetic fuels, either hydrogen or synthetic hydrocarbons to replace oil from the ground although those are going to need energy to create (nuclear can do the job and solar probably could but for more money).

Answer 3

Bad idea. It generates more CO2 from the decay caused by the change in the ecosystem. The draining of the bog releases more CO2 than the palm oil will save.

Answer 4

It's a poor solution that solves one problem by creating another, isn't it?

Biofuels are not THE answer. They are an alternative, but alternatives like this should not come at the expense of our natural habitat.

Increasing awareness is the name of the game right now.

Answer 5

the heat oil for palm come from organism mineral oil
its hydrogenated with aloe oil therapy for skin and the energy
provide heat in th palm with oil massage to moisture skin
to prevent dry skin.