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Rainforest Fungus Naturally Synthesizes Diesel

30 points| soundsop | 17 years ago |blog.wired.com | reply

12 comments

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[+] qwph|17 years ago|reply
This makes me wonder how many amazing species have been lost through deforestation without us ever knowing what benefits they could have had...
[+] mhb|17 years ago|reply
Can you come to my next party?
[+] Chocobean|17 years ago|reply
that's right: we are no only destroying our environment, we are also destroying the parts of our environment that can help us not to destroy it. Efficiency, thy name is man.
[+] DTrejo|17 years ago|reply
Oil may no longer be a fossil fuel!

Now we can all stop feeling guilty.

At the same time though, carbon sequestration becomes crucial (assuming this organism's ability to make crude begins to be used commercially).

Oh, and don't forget about tighter emission standards, among other things.

[+] alex_stoddard|17 years ago|reply
Why are you worried about carbon sequestration?

If you are using plant matter to feed the fungus then the carbon source for the fuel is atmospheric carbon dioxide - "pre-sequestered" carbon, if you will.

As I understand it, the issue with fossil fuel carbon emissions is we are releasing ancient carbon dioxide.

[+] rgrieselhuber|17 years ago|reply
I'd prefer we left the rainforests alone and focused on other energy sources.