Can we save the Earth by algae oil?

BMW by TheAlieness GiselaGiardino

In this “green” section, we usually publish texts focused on how to live more environmentally friendly. However, this time it will be about some intriguing research, which can help us to get rid of the feelings of guilt associated with driving our gas guzzling cars. One of the important parts of our daily routine is oil. Almost everyone in the developed countries has a car, which is a necessary part of everyday life, and so do I, as most of the realtors who have to drive around their neighbourhoods on a daily basis. Without our dear cars, the life would be so much more difficult. Unfortunately, we all know the two crucial problems connected to driving: unsound oil supplies driving prices up and down and the environmental harm caused by fuel burning and the related carbon dioxide emissions.

The Institute for Genomic Research was founded by Craig Venter, an American biologist and a successful businessman. He mainly deals with genetic engineering and his latest project has caused a great deal of heated debate.

A number of experiments have already been working with biofuels, some of them also with natural oil produced by algae. But Venter has more ambitions than that. His goal is to change the genomic make-up of algae so that they would produce oil nearly identical as traditional crude oil. If that works out, we would be able to use the available refineries and other oil industry infrastructure already available. Also plastics could be produced the same way as from crude oil refining, using the same production plants. As Exxon Mobile, being one of the most successful oil producers in the world, heard of all this, they gave Venter a $600 million grant to go on with his research.

Now your question might be, where is the environmental benefit? Well, right here. Oil production based on algae may quite likely be the solution to one of the most serious threats facing the world today. During the photosynthesis process, plants utilize the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and use it to create the oil, which is later burned and turned into oxalates. It will of course take more time to work all this out, this promising solution won’t be available this or next year. But for sure it is a hopeful way to try, and Craig Venter with his team have made the first steps towards a success on a field where others have already tried and failed. There are many people out there that want to protect the environment, but due to their occupation, it is very difficult for them to stop using cars, just like so many of my Toronto real estate colleagues can’t.