Algae is a Win-Win

It is estimated that many companies, start-ups and investors are pursuing the goal of algae to biofuel. Each company is taking a slightly different approach in regions throughout the United States and indeed the world. The UK has just issued an algae to fuel challenge (http://www.biofuels-news.com/news/uk_challenge.html). With appropriate support, through funding, research and development, and resources, there will surely be successes. But will those successes be simply be cheap, renewable oil from algae? What is the measure of success? From a capitalist point of view, positive cashflow marks success and indeed, no business will operate very long without it. However, the environmental and social benefits offered through the pursuit of algae to oil are vast and difficult to put a dollar value on. The following are a few of the foreseeable and direct benefits: carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) reduction in the atmosphere; utilization of nutrients that contribute to eutrophication (human, bovine, fish farm wastes) and are a wasted resource, therefore a cleansing of waste waters that feed our natural waters; production of biofuel products that produce less pollution than petroleum fuels and set up a carbon neutral cycle; production of nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, animal feed and non-petroleum-based fertilizers as potential value-added byproducts; algae production out performs all land-based feedstocks and is not competitive with food crops; decentralize fuel production and distribution; regional economic development and job creation in a new industry; and a renewable source of energy, which offers energy independence. If every company meets with a measure of success, it is a win-win endeavor for all.