What are different crops used for biofuels?
In order to view the videos online at Big Picture TV, you need to install the Macromedia Flash Player 8 (or later) and have Javascript enabled in your browser.
About the video: ‘What are different crops used for biofuels?’
Lester Brown predicts a massive growth in demand for the crops that produce biofuels such as bioethanol and biodiesel. These include soya beans, rapeseed (canola), sugarcane and palm oil. Many developing countries will benefit economically, especially those that grow sugar cane and palm oil – the most efficient energy crops. Brown believes that existing technology can halve our present consumption of hydrocarbons and points to the vast potential for gas electric hybrid cars such as Toyota’s Prius.
Total views: 2,250
Filmed: San Francisco, USA on 6 February 2006
Credits: Interviewer - Marcus Morrell, Camera and Editor - Marcus Morrell
Copyright © 2006 Big Picture TV
About Lester Brown
Lester Brown is an American environmentalist. He’ s the founder and former President of the Worldwatch Institute, the first research institute devoted to the analysis of global environmental issues, and founder and President of the Earth Policy Institute, which aims to provide a vision of a sustainable economy.
Dr Brown has authored or co-authored over 50 books on global environmental issues, including” Who Will Feed China?” and his most recent book “Plan B 4.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization”. HE is the recipient of the 1987 UN Environment Prize and The Washington Post has called him “one of the world’s most influential thinkers.”
Other videos with Lester Brown
Lester Brown
Can biofuels be sustainable?
Dr Brown explains that higher oil prices mean biofuels are now economically competitive. The sector is seeing huge growth as a result. But as more food crops are transformed into…
Recorded: 6 February 2006
Lester Brown
Does population growth matter?
In a number of developed countries populations are now in decline. This is problematic in that it raises dependency ratios, but it can be managed by adjusting the age of retirement.…
Recorded: 6 February 2006
Lester Brown
What’s wrong with buying bottled water?
Lester Brown draws our attention to the wasteful nature of bottled water. Tap water in most countries is perfectly OK to drink. Many public water supplies, in fact, are of better…
Recorded: 6 February 2006
Lester Brown
What is the future for World food supplies? (Part One)
In this two-part series Lester Brown looks at two environmental trends, aquifer depletion and rising temperatures. He focuses primarily on the long-term implications these have…
Recorded: 1 December 2004
Lester Brown
What is the future for World food supplies? (Part 2)
In this two-part series Lester Brown looks at two environmental trends, aquifer depletion and rising temperatures. He focuses primarily on the long-term implications these have…
Recorded: 1 December 2004
Lester Brown
Can we restructure the economy to make it more sustainable?
In the first clip in this two-part series, Lester Brown talks about the issues he addresses in his book ‘Plan B: Rescuing a Planet Under Stress.’ In the book he examines…
Recorded: 1 December 2004
Lester Brown
Can we restructure the economy to make it more sustainable? (part 2)
In this second clip, Lester Brown suggests what can be done if world leaders are to get serious about climate change. The first step would be to phase out old-fashioned incandescent…
Recorded: 1 December 2004
Related videos
Amory Lovins
How can America reduce its dependency on foreign oil? (Part 1)
Amory Lovins talks about his latest book ‘Winning the Oil Endgame,’ co-sponsored by the Pentagon. In it, Dr. Lovins lays out a strategy to reduce drastically America’s…
Recorded: 17 October 2004
Bill Joy
What is potential for investing in clean technologies?
Bill Joy talks about his involvement with a venture capital group focused on investment in clean technology solutions. Unusually the firm also works as an influential pressure group…
Recorded: 10 September 2006
Matthew Simmons
What are the options for renewable energy? (part 1)
Simmons discusses the different renewable energy technologies on the market today. Wind and solar power have their place; however, both produce energy only intermittently which…
Recorded: 14 February 2007
Vijay Vaitheeswaran
How can we meet the world’s energy needs?
In the first part of this three-part series, journalist Vijay Vaitheeswaran debunks some of the myths about oil. He explains where most of our oil comes from and where it goes.…
Recorded: 9 June 2004
Vijay Vaitheeswaran
What is the role for governments in creating a sustainable energy supply?
In the final part of this three-part series, Mr Vaitheeswaran recognizes the important role the government can play in creating incentives for the market. He cautions politicians…
Recorded: 9 June 2004
Colin Campbell
What is the future of oil?
Dr. Campbell discusses the decline of global oil and gas production and talks about the likely impacts oil depletion will have on geopolitics. He addresses some of the solutions…
Recorded: 1 November 2002
