Name: Using biology to rethink the energy challenge
Uploaded: 2007-11-15T01:00:00Z
Duration: 17 min 51 s
Description: Juan Enriquez challenges our definition of bioenergy. Oil, coal, gas and other hydrocarbons are not chemical but biological products, based on plant matter -- and thus, growable. Our whole approach to fuel, he argues, needs to change.

Juan Enriquez challenges our definition of bioenergy. Oil, coal, gas and other hydrocarbons are not chemical but biological products, based on plant matter -- and thus, growable. Our whole approach to fuel, he argues, needs to change.

Using biology to rethink the energy challenge

Most people think of bioenergy as ethanol or solar panels, but oil, coal, and gas are actually ancient, concentrated sunlight—biological products built up over millions of years. The way agriculture shifted from brute force to biology unleashed a sevenfold leap in productivity, an innovation desperately needed in energy. Today, 86 percent of our energy still comes from hydrocarbons, yet we leave two-thirds of oil underground and waste tremendous potential. Recognizing hydrocarbons as growable, biological systems opens the door to more sustainable, efficient, and creative energy solutions.

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Juan Enriquez: Using biology to rethink the energy challenge