WIT Lecturer is convenor of Trinity debate on Biofuels

On Thursday 13 March at 7pm, the Science Gallery at Trinity College launched RAW, a monthly public debate that responds to the hottest science and technology stories in the media.

The event was chaired by the recently appointed host of RAW, Dr Cormac O'Raifeartaigh (Waterford Institute of Technology).

The topic for this month was 'The BioFuel Dream is Dead'.

Abstract:

Debate rages over whether biofuels are a vital part of the range of renewable technologies needed to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels or an environmental disaster in the making. Approximately 1% of the world’s arable land is currently devoted to biofuels and that figure is set to grow. But is there enough land to grow energy crops or water to irrigate them, given the demands on global agriculture? Can biofuel really reduce climate change without causing serious damage?

The speakers included:
· Professor Keith Smith (The Institute of Atmospheric and Environmental Science at the University of Edinburgh),
· Dr Rocio Diaz-Chavez (Centre for Environmental Policy and Technology, Imperial College),
· John Travers (Chief Executive of AER Biofuels)
· David Korowicz (FEASTA).

For more information please go to www.sciencegallery.ie