Renewable Energy from Living Organisms?

[Karl]

Originally Posted by natureguy

That's why I had asked to put some light on extraction of energy from algae. Moreover I still maintain my point, its not only humans who have right to live.

These should contain some information on the extraction of oil, biodiesel etc, from algae:

• Algae Oil Extraction Tips & Suggestions

• Index page • Oilgae.com

• OriginOil Files Patent for Breakthrough Algae Oil Extraction Technique | Reuters

In terms of humans not being the only species with a right to live, that is not at all by choice – sustainability (as it pertains to human life) depends on the reality that “large numbers of small organisms are necessary to support smaller numbers of large organisms”. That "energy pyramid" is not something we (or any other species higher up the food chain) have any real choice about, and (in principle) there is nothing inherently immoral or intrinsically unnatural about this reality; it is more a question of scale and intensity, in relation to discretion and control, etc.

(…rights + privileges <> duties + responsibilities…)

However, in the case of the present global issues - energy crisis, food crisis, environmental uncertainty (weather / climate) the reality is that instead of condemning the cause - we have to deal with the tangible effects that have already taken place (and to the extent possible mitigate further damage). So certain trade-offs are necessary.

In any case, I believe that they intend to focus on specific types of algae specially cultivated for the purpose, it is not about random scraping of all species of macro-algae and seaweed off the rocks on the coastline...

[natureguy]

Originally Posted by Karl

In terms of humans not being the only species with a right to live, that is not at all by choice – sustainability (as it pertains to human life) depends on the reality that “large numbers of small organisms are necessary to support smaller numbers of large organisms”. That "energy pyramid" is not something we (or any other species higher up the food chain) have any real choice about, and (in principle) there is nothing inherently immoral or intrinsically unnatural about this reality; it is more a question of scale and intensity, in relation to discretion and control, etc.

(…rights + privileges <> duties + responsibilities…)

However, in the case of the present global issues - energy crisis, food crisis, environmental uncertainty (weather / climate) the reality is that instead of condemning the cause - we have to deal with the tangible effects that have already taken place (and to the extent possible mitigate further damage). So certain trade-offs are necessary.

In any case, I believe that they intend to focus on specific types of algae specially cultivated for the purpose, it is not about random scraping of all species of macro-algae and seaweed off the rocks on the coastline...

Eating non-veg food is a different issue for residents of deserts or greenland or alaska. But for all the other human beings there are alternatives.

Killing them to keep up your so called development isn't right. We don't want to change slightest pattern of our lifestyle but are ready to kill others for the same. That's not justice.

Moreover talking here of Energy Pyramid is usless. We can't and shouldn't act like wild animals who kill smaller animals for their hunger. They don't do it for fun. We strictly shouldn't compare our activities with these animals who can't understand a thing.

Above all penalty for killing 1 or 100 or 1000 is the same. So its not question of whether we are killing entire species.

In simple terms: We are using FAT from Algae to get some oil/ethanol.

It really stinks.