At Lunch ‘n Learn this week we were treated to an excellent talk by Mr Richard Lilleystone, CEO of GazAsia. Richard spoke about the role of biofuels in mitigating climate change. We see the effects of climate change are all around us and Richard stated that a catastrophic event causing more than $1 billion dollars in damage is currently happening globally once every 18 days. He presented the compelling scientific evidence that burning of fossil fuels, is the underlying cause of global warming and climate change. Globally transportation accounts for 25% of CO2 emissions and using sustainable biofuels to replace the use of fossils fuels could help mitigate global warming. Biofuels produced from biomass feedstock can achieve low life-cycle CO2 emissions, if produced in a responsible way.

Richard currently has two projects running in Sierra Leone and in Jamaica. In both instances, large land mass in these countries allows Camelina (a ‘weed’ known to the ancient Egyptians, to make linen for mummy bandages!) to be produced at scale. Camelina produces a seed, from which the oil is extracted by cold press to produce biofuels. Biodiesel produced from Camelina reduces GHG emissions by 65% compared to pure diesel. A rich protein ‘cake’ is extracted from the seed to produce animal feed (substitute for soy – a major cause of deforestation in Brazil). Camelina stalks and straw (agri-waste) can be used to generate low carbon electricity and heat. Whilst growing Camelina, legumes are co-rotated (1 in 4) to provide a source of food for the local community. Commonwealth Environmental Developments Ltd (CEDL) is providing employment opportunities and raising the income of local people leading to sustainable development in rural communities.

The students were enthused by the talk and asked numerous questions. The aquaponics group were particularly inspired and will be growing Camelina this term in a bid to extract a Biofuel sample themselves.

If you’ve found this article interesting, then please encourage your children to come along to future Lunch ‘n Talks and if you’re a Scientist, Engineer, Mathematician, Innovator or Entrepreneur PLEASE consider coming into school to give a presentation yourself!