| is no question that alternative fuel sources must be | | | | seem like a lot, but is only 300 square miles of algae |
| found if we are going to reduce our dependence on | | | | farms per state, and larger states could easily spare |
| oil, lower transportation costs, and stop damaging the | | | | more than 300 square miles for such farms. The |
| environment. Algae biodiesel is a fuel alternative that | | | | environmental impact of algae biodiesel is nothing |
| has many people hopeful for these changes as it | | | | compared to fossil fuel use which means that we |
| creates fuel efficiently without displacing food crops, | | | | would also be helping to solve global warming and |
| damaging the environment, and it reduces our | | | | other climate issues caused by fossil fuels. |
| dependence on oil. | | | | Algae biodiesel is also easy to produce compared |
| Corn, soybeans, and waste oil are all known sources | | | | with other types of biodiesel that require filtering and |
| for fuel alternatives, but food crops used to produce | | | | titrating. It is even possible to produce algae biodiesel |
| fuel oil have proven to be counterproductive and | | | | at home which means that consumers would be able |
| waste oils are finite in supply. Corn and soybeans | | | | to produce their own fuel and reduce their individual |
| used for making fuel take away from food that | | | | need for oil. Individuals can take control of their own |
| would have otherwise gone to consumers. This | | | | fuel needs and take some of the power away from |
| creates the potential to raise food prices. Food crops | | | | big energy suppliers. This possibility means that |
| used to make fuel are also not as efficient as algae. | | | | energy costs could potentially fall even form the big |
| It takes an acre of soybeans to make about 50 | | | | producers. |
| gallons of oil and an acre of corn to make only about | | | | Making algae biodiesel at home is not easy, however, |
| 20 gallons of oil. In contrast, an acre of algae will | | | | but it is possible and very economical. Using algae to |
| produce about 10,000 gallons of oil over the course | | | | create fuel means that there is no waste and |
| of a year. This difference is one of the main reasons | | | | consumers can stop depending on oil with its quickly |
| that algae biodiesel has gained popularity in the race | | | | rising prices for their fuel needs. Every consumer has |
| to produce alternative fuels but there are many | | | | been impacted by the sharp rise in oil prices and if |
| other reasons why many people are considering it. | | | | they continue to soar many people will end up not |
| The economical nature of algae biodiesel means that | | | | being able to afford their daily commute or will not |
| 15000 square miles of algae farms would be able to | | | | be able to afford other necessities such as food in |
| produce enough biodiesel to power all of the cars, | | | | order to continue driving. There is no doubt that |
| trucks, and other gas powered transportation in the | | | | alternative fuel sources must be developed and |
| US. If the US began farming operations on this scale | | | | quickly; ones that are sustainable and affordable for |
| we would be able to almost entirely eliminate our | | | | consumers. |
| need for oil and fossil fuels. This farming figure may | | | | |