Everyone’s talking about biofuel for cars, but what about using it for jet planes? The seeds of a weed could cut jet fuel’s carbon emissions by 84%.
Engineer David Shonnard analyzed the carbon dioxide emissions of jet fuel made from camelina oil and says, “Camelina jet fuel exhibits one of the largest greenhouse gas emission reductions of any agricultural feedstock-derived biofuel I’ve ever seen.”
Camelina sativa originated in Europe and is a member of the mustard family, along with broccoli, cabbage and canola, and it thrives in the semi-arid conditions. “Unlike ethanol made from corn, it won’t compete with food crops,” says Shonnard. “It is almost an exact replacement for fossil fuel.”
Boeing executive Billy Glover says, “It performed as well if not better than traditional jet fuel during our test flight with Japan Airlines earlier this year and supports our goal of accelerating the market availability of sustainable, renewable fuel sources that can help aviation reduce emissions.”
When you take a plane to our Dreamland Festival next year, you may be flying on a WEED. And be sure to bring along a good book to read on the plane! subscribers can also download some of Whitley’s great short stories and meditations.
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