Biofuels: Pies in the Sky
What’s that in the sky. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s biofuel.
I’m never that sure about Sir Richard Branson. (Why is he a knight? Knights save maidens, atop steeds, in shiny metal suits, the backdrop a castle with billowing flags and things. Knights don’t run record labels. Ah, he signed the Sex Pistols. I take it all back.)
Hang on a moment. The Pistols fought the establishment. Their sarcasm on God Save the Queen is legendary. Knighthoods are provided by the queen. You see?
I’m not that keen on biofuels either. A mixed blessing isn’t good enough, when we have the winds, tides and sunlight to power our future.
So from the Sex Pistols to biofuelled flight in one very seamless career move. The knight of the realm runs a company called Virgin, which in turn runs an oft-derided train service and also an airline. Oh yes, fingers in very many pies.
And today, the BBC announce that:
“The first flight by a commercial airline to be powered partly by biofuel is to take off from London. Billed as a green fuel breakthrough, the Virgin Atlantic flight to Amsterdam will not have any passengers on board.”
The thinking’s all askew. Don’t line your pockets with biofuel. Don’t semi-alleviate guilt with flight traffic powered by something other than kerosene.
Behavioural change. Proper solutions. Not press coverage.
You see the moon and sun up there in the sky? They provide our cleaner future. Not aeroplanes.
A little bit more research Mr Scientist. A little bit more funding Mr Politician. We’ll get there.
The BBC banned the Sex Pistols despite being number one in the charts with that song I’ve just mentioned. You see, it was the queen’s jubilee. More people were taking notice of a punk record than royalty. The establishment all got a bit nervous.
Not as nervous as I am with biofuels.
Image Source
Further Reading
Max Lindberg always gives a knowledgable critique.
Great post Pem! It looks increasingly like BioFuels were a wrong turn, with many governments now issuing far stricter guidelines. I think we got suckered to some extent by the promised sliver bullet - no change to lifestyle required, just fill-up with biofuel. It’s never that easy.
I love the knight image and the humor of the transition from the Sex Pistols to biofuels. A very interesting story and great connections. Also a valuable perspective.
Not to intrude, but I did a story on the mixed blessings of palm oil biofuels recently if you’re interested in this connection too: http://ecoworldly.com/2008/01/15/asias-biodiesel-dilemma/
Thanks both. You haven’t intruded at all by supplying that link Gavin.
[...] Not everyone agrees, however, that biofuels will “fly”, as noted here by Pem Charnley, contributor to Green Options’ EcoWorldly blog. His feelings are outlined here, Pies in the Sky. [...]
[...] on this development at Gas 2.0 and EcoWorldly. Comment on this post Tags: amazon nuts, biofuels, renewable energy, Virgin Atlantic [...]