Assuming that John Kerry becomes the next president of the United States, one of the major problems he will face is to undo the previous administration’s dangerous and short-sighted energy policy. It will be a daunting task, but one that must be met head on with vigor and courage.
As a senator who has been a consistent defender of our environment, Kerry realizes the need to wean ourselves from the teats of foreign oil producers. This is why he has called for renewed investment in a sustainable energy infrastructure. There are a number of ways to tackle this problem, with the expansion of gasohol being the frontrunner.
But if we really want to solve our long term energy problem, President Kerry will have to step up to the plate and lift the sixty-five year old ban on the production of industrial grade hemp.
Homegrown Oil (Hemp Farming in America)
Why, might you ask do we need to lift the ban on hemp farming, when we have corn based energy programs in place? Well, the reasons are numerous.
Hemp is much cheaper to grow. It requires no pesticides or herbicides. The byproduct of this alone, is a much cleaner and safer environment, due to no chemical runoff.
Hemp pulp is a better biomass than corn or any other plant for the production of fuel.
The charcoal byproduct from hemp fuel production can be burned in place of coal, thus reducing dangerous emissions into our atmosphere.
By burning hemp fuel, we would dramatically reduce acid rain, as well as begin reversing the greenhouse effect.
Estimates by scientists indicate that, if only six percent of our land is used to grow hemp for fuel production, we could replace entirely the amount of oil that we import.
Unlike corn or other potential biomass fuels, hemp can be grown virtually anywhere on the populated planet. It can be grown in the southwest, or any other part of the U.S. which currently is unfeasable for large scale production of any plant.
The yield from the production of hemp makes it financially attractive to all farmers.
Energy products made from hemp can be made for a fraction of the current cost of oil, coal or nuclear energy, allowing for longterm, sustainable cheap oil and gas.
When hemp is grown, it takes in CO2 from the air. When it is burned in the form of fuel, it releases CO2 back into the air, helping to create a balanced system.
Hemp fuel is safer, eliminating dangerous spills into our environment, since it is biodegradable. It also has a flashpoint of 300 degrees, as opposed to 125 degrees for normal diesel fuel.
Now, hemp fuel by itself will never be able to completely replace the amount of fossil energy we consume. But hemp fuel, used in conjunction with wind, solar, tidal and hydroelectric power could save our planet by providing ALL of our energy needs.
Think about it; no more wars would be fought for oil. No more reliance for fossil fuel. No more ecologic devastation, due to oil spills or pollution. No more high fuel costs. And, we can save American single family farms!
So, when Senator Kerry becomes President Kerry, I, and I hope all Americans would strongly urge that the ludicrous ban on industrial hemp be lifted. The peak oil problem is real. It’s time to show some political courage and do the thing that just makes plain sense.
A Few Fun Hemp Facts
In the mid 1920’s, Henry Ford, understanding the need for sustainable fuel sources, constructed an automobile made from resin-stiffened hemp fiber, and ran the car on ethanol made from hemp.
How Hemp Saved George Bush (the elder)
When George Bush’s plane was shot down in WWII, the engine parts in his plane were lubricated by hemp oil. The webbing from his parachute was made from hemp fiber. The ropes that hauled him out of the water were made from hemp. The firehoses on board the ship that hauled him out were made from hem, as well as the stitching in his boots.
Links:
http://www.hemp4fuel.com/nontesters/hemp4fuel/challenge.htmlhttp://www.angelfire.com/ca7/ddc/Fuel.html
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