---- Wayne Tyson <[email protected]> wrote: > Ecolog: > > Whilst "researching" something else, I came across this interesting item and > website. I have not delved into the details, but couldn't help but stumble > when I came to: "The challenge is to provide a methodology and relevant > information for all Article 17(c) categories that an operator can follow to > avoid these grassland areas." > > I am struck by the implicit presumption (perhaps well-calculated evidence > exists, but I am ignorant of it) that ANY kind of "biofuel" production has > any net positive effect upon any ecosystem, or, for that matter, that any > such production even pencils out on the positive side of an net-energy > calculation. > > I stand ready to be educated to the contrary.
Wayne, since you used the word "any" and emphasized it in your query, I will point out that many societies over a very long time have harvested wood for fuel in a sustainable manner. Of course, societies have also harvested wood for fuel in tragically unsustainable manner as population pressure has built up. And of course, you were referring to harvesting of biomass for industrial production of fuels. I think the data are pretty much in, and it cannot be done sustainably. And of course, just because something is sustainable does not mean that the base ecosystem has not been affected. Just my quick thoughts. mcneely > > WT > > http://www.natureserve.org/publications/library.jsp#techrpts > > World Grasslands and Biodiversity Patterns > 2010 > The European Union Directive from 2008 on the promotion and use of energy > from renewable resources referred to as "RED" states that biofuels and > bioliquids cannot be produced from raw material obtained from land with high > biodiversity value. These lands are defined to include, among other > categories, "highly biodiverse grassland areas, including natural and > non-natural grasslands." The challenge is to provide a methodology and > relevant information for all Article 17(c) categories that an operator can > follow to avoid these grassland areas. 29 OF PAGES, PDF file (422 KB); > Details of source information, XLXS file (755 KB) -- David McNeely
