The Bronx is Growing

Monday, March 23, 2009

Algae: The Newest Alternative Bio-Fuel

"Algae is the ultimate in renewable energy." Glen Kertz, president and CEO of Valcent Products, told CNN while conducting a tour of his algae greenhouse outside of El Paso, Texas. He is not the only one who believes this. The next wave in alternative fuel funding is going towards algae. This vertical growing method has been patented by Kertz, who believes that greenhouses like this are the wave of the future for alternative sources of fuel. The idea of algae as fuel is not a new one. The US government funded several experiments in the late 1970s up until the 1990s, but the ethanol craze (which happened to be a total failure) took away from those funds. Apparently algae are something like 50% oil based, and that oil can be converted into a type of fuel that can run a diesel engine. Crazy. If you want to learn more about this check out

www.oilgae.com

pjh

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About BIG

This blog has been created in the interest of increasing the environmental education of citizens of the Bronx, and as an online forum for discussion about socio-ecological issues in the area. The environmental landscape of cities, particularly neglected areas along highways, behind shopping centers, and under bridges, has long been ignored and considered ecologically irreparable by the majority. By banding together with a common agenda, we can raise ecological awareness and improve the quality of life in the Bronx one neighborhood at a time. There are already several groups and not-for-profit organizations that have this same mission.

Van Cortlandt Park is the 4th largest park in NYC, and the residents that live close to this area deserve to have easy access, and better conditions in the park. Some sort of community driven restoration project could benefit the local aesthetic and quality of life in so many ways. I am proposing an ecological restoration and greenway construction plan along the southbound side of the Major Deegan Expressway (I-87), and am looking for anyone with any input on the area or community opinion on a project of this nature. Currently, there is a proposal for a greenway to be built which would extend into the Broadway shopping district, connecting the Harlem River Greenway with Van Cortlandt Park. Spread the word, and let's clean up our neighborhood.

Van Cortlandt Park is an excellent recreational area that is used by a massive amount of people, but the conditions of the park have been slowly deteriorating. This project proposes the creation of a greenway and bike trail extending south towards 225th street and Kingsbridge Road, along the median of I-87. This path and greenspace would provide citizens of this area, and the area along the trail, easier access to Van Cortlandt Park, and would bring the area which used to be Tibbet's Brook back to its original ecological state. Not only would the trail increase the quality of human life, but it would also increase the diversity of various flora and fauna of the Bronx, which have been taken over by foreign weed species. This creek was forced underground in the early 1900s, and currently runs out of the pond adjacent to the Van Cortlandt golf house. During rainstorms, excess water floods the creek, damaging the water quality which used to support a diverse ecosystem of plants and animals. The restoration, or Day Lighting, of Tibbet's Brook would both educate local youth on environmental sustainability and provide them with a place close to home where they can get some fresh air. A public works project such as this cannot occur without the consent and involvement of the local community. That is why I have created this blog. It may stir up some conversation, maybe not. All I ask for is your input and opinion. Thanks.

PJ Hopkins is a senior at Fordham University, with a major in Urban Studies and a minor in Environmental Studies. This proposal is for a thesis seminar under the direction of Dr. Mark Naison, Ph. D, Professor of African American Studies at Fordham University. Any questions or comments, contact PJ at phopkinsjr@gmail.com