Sweet Renewable Materials

By: Jessica Robertson

      Many everyday products are oil-based, including plastic, gasoline, and rubber; the non-renewable nature of these materials means their scarcity is increasing. Research is underway heavily to find new options for products so common in our world today. Biodiesel is a perfect example of a renewable material that is not based on oil, being derived instead from plants. While the invention of biodiesel advanced the renewable energy sector, researchers are still searching for more earth-friendly options.

            Isobutene, a product ubiquitous in the chemical industry, will soon be derived from plants, namely sugar. Research found that if sugar is introduced to a particular microorganism, the product of the fermentation and digestion process is gaseous isobutene. This process is highly renewable since sugar grows back, making it a huge improvement on oil.

            However, concern arises when dealing with renewable material derived from edible plants; with so much hunger in the world, is it really justifiable to use food for conversion to energy rather than for feeding hungry mouths? For this reason, the pilot plant in Germany is transitioning from sugar beet, which is edible, to sugar from wood or straw, which is not edible.

Making the production of isobutene completely independent from both oil and food production is a responsible choice for the future of our planet. 

                                      

Conservation of Our Reefs

By: Kate Serrano

Many problems have plagued Philippine beaches. With the rise in globalization of the country, one cannot help but think about its altering effects to not only to locals but more importantly to the marine life down under. Over the years, the beautiful coral reefs have sadly been depleted by dynamite fishing as local fishermen regard it as a faster way of earning the big bucks. Little do they know that coral reefs serve as sanctuaries and spawning grounds of fish and other marine life? Luckily the government has taken a stand.

 The Philippine government has taken measures to get local fisher folks informed and provided aid in finding alternative ways of generating income. By educating fishermen of the important roles coral reefs play in protecting the country from typhoons and hurricanes (which have recently become a phenomenon) dynamite fishing have slowly become a thing of the past. In addition, the government has stressed out protecting coral reefs as having a positive impact on local tourism –it means more attraction for divers and snorkeling tourists; in a country where tourists abound not only because of the inexpensive travel and the hospitality of the locals, it pays to take care of natural resources.

The Philippines boasts of a vast 7,107 islands and countless majestic beaches. It takes more time repairing than taking care of each one. While we marvel at the site of a glorious sunset by the beach, the question remains – how can we make these be available for the generations to come?