Algal fuel & nutrition

The promise of algae



Previously, I had done a little research on alternative biofuel sources and found out that algae could be an environmentally friendly and very efficient source of biofuel. Its efficiency is because much more of the organism is devoted to oil production than a plant such as hemp, soy, or corn. It does not suck any carbon up from the ground and pump it into the atmosphere like petroleum. Instead, algae use photosynthesis in which carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is used to make organic compounds.

Powering motors with algal fuel could be a better future than electric powered motors. Everyone having electric cars would make in incredible demand on the electric grid. The demand would be so huge that renewable sources of electricity would not be able to supply it. Perhaps nuclear could, but that is not an ideal solution.

Water 4 to introduce algae DHA/EPA as food ingredient

The technology used to mass produce oil from algae has a lesser known use than biofuel: dietary supplements. It is fairly widely known that fish oil is a good dietary supplement because of its omega-3 essential fatty acids, particular EPA and DHA. There are other plant sources of omega-3s, namely flax, hemp, and pumpkin, but these are mostly APA and people need all 3 omega-3s. APA can be converted to EPA & DHA in the body, but not fast enough. Thus, fish oil is used as a dietary supplement. However, current fishing practices might not be sustainable and fish may be contaminated with mercury.

Exit poll oddities

From CNN's exit polls:

Who Has Right Experience [Obama or McCain]? 8% said neither, but 90% of those still voted for either.

Who Is In Touch With People Like You? 16% said neither, but 92% of those people still voted for one of them.

Obama's Positions on the Issues: 42% said "too liberal", but 9% of those people still voted for Obama. 4% said "too conservative", but 49% of those still voted for him.

Who Has Right Judgment? 6% said neither, but 83% of those still voted for either.

Are You Worried About Economic Conditions? 98% voted for Obama or McCain, who would both still send about half of the federal budget to the military and gave $700 billion to some of the people responsible for the poor economic conditions.

$700 Billion to Failing Financial Companies: 56% said oppose, but 98% of those still voted for either Obama or McCain, who both voted for it.

U.S. War in Iraq: 63% disapproved, but 98% still voted for either Obama or McCain, who would not get out troops out immediately. Obama says "Immediately upon taking office, Obama will give his Secretary of Defense and military commanders a new mission in Iraq: successfully ending the war. The removal of our troops will be responsible and phased." But what is success? What is the goal? That looks like a cop-out for staying in Iraq to me.