The Grassolean effort began 10 years ago, long before biodiesel had become a household word. Unfortunately, along with a growing global interest in using biofuel, many serious problems have developed over the years. Below you will find a brief overview of some of the major concerns and dangers regarding the production of biodiesel and ethanol industries, followed by a short list of things you can do to make environmentally responsible transportation choices today!

Even with modern production technologies, Planet Earth simply does not have enough farmland (or used french fry oil for that matter) to produce enough biofuel to even begin to satisfy our global appetite for liquid transportation fuel.

There is an ethical dilemma inherent in growing biofuel for automobiles on the same ground that could be used to grow food for humans. This competition for agricultural resources drives food prices up, making food more expensive for everyone and poses life-threatening concerns for billions of the world’s poorest people.

Most biodiesel being produced today comes from unsustainable practices like the logging of healthy forests to plant oil producing crops (See Video Clip, as well as the use of large quantities of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and genetically modified seeds to grow biofuel crops, not to mention the precious water and topsoil resources being wasted.

Biofuel was once believed to be "carbon neutral" meaning that it produced no new green house gases, however new studies conclude that (due to unsustainable farming practices) biodiesel actually increases the dangers of global warming!

Biodiesel made from recycled waste oil from fried food restaurants is obviously a good option for those wanting to "drive green". However, biodiesel (available for purchase at the pump) is rarely made from recycled waste veggie oil. If you can make your own recycled biodiesel or find a distributor who offers recycled product, you are one of the lucky few; the supply is extremely limited worldwide.

There is still the great green hope of raising Algae to produce biofuel on land that cannot be used to grow food. One possible solution would be to raise Algae in ponds in the desert using municipal waste water. The Algae option is very exciting and could certainly solve a great number of biofuel related issues. Unfortunately, at this time, this option is still a fantasy as we are simply unable to produce enough Algae fuel to positively offset the negative impacts of global biofuel production.

Because of the mounting concerns about conventionally produced biodiesel and ethanol, many biofueled enthusiasts, municipalities and high profile promoters are now turning their backs on this, once promising, panacea. Read Article

But all is not lost... not by a long shot! Here are some great options for people committed to making environmentally responsible transportation choices today:

• Boycott unsustainable biofuel products (hint: most of them)
• Educate yourself and others about the critical issues surrounding the modern biofuel industry.
• Contact your political representatives and demand your governments to regulate against unsustainable biofuel practices.
• Drive Less, Use Public Transportation, Ride Share, Move Closer To Work, Get a Fuel Efficient Vehicle, Accomplish More Per Car Trip, Bicycle and Walk More!

Thanks for being part of the solution!

Sustainably Yours,
Charris Ford