/24-7PressRelease/ - TAIPEI, May 27, 2008 - With many countries looking at biofuels as a major solution to the shortage and surging price of energy, Nobel said he is uncomfortable with the idea of food being used as an energy resource, while millions of people are living under threat of starvation.
"I would strongly suggest a shift from edible substances to cellulose-based substances" in the strategy to develop biomass energy, said Nobel, advocating that this could help to achieve a balance between the food crisis and the development of biomass energy.
Taiwan, which has relatively limited farmland acreage and almost totally relies on imported oil for its energy needs, has incorporated Nobel's concept into its long-term energy and agricultural planning.
Taiwanese researchers, including those in the nation's top research institute Academia Sinica, have been developing technology to genetically modify plants such as rice and sugarcane in order to reduce growing time and increase the level of ethanol production.
They are also trying to use low-cost and fibrous plants, as well as rice straw and sugarcane waste, to minimize costs while guaranteeing an adequate food supply.
According to the Council of Agriculture, the cost of producing biomass energy from edible plants is too high, and Taiwan's climate is unsuitable for growing certain types of plants for biofuel.
As for nuclear power as alternative energy source, Nobel said he's "ambivalent" about that option as it involves safety concerns.
According to Nobel, the major problem with nuclear energy is dealing with accidents and the disposal of radioactive waste.
However, "it is a very nice power generating (option)," he said, noting that it is efficient in producing a lot of power, has no emissions, and the ecological changes caused by the waste warm water from its reactors are minimal.
In an interview with local reporters, Nobel specifically urged the Taiwan government to play a more active role in environmental protection, through such measures as encouraging the installation of "intelligent environment" systems, subsidizing electric cars, and providing tax incentives to businesses that invent new techniques to help reduce carbon emissions.
"The government has the power and responsibility to do this, " he said, adding that he would like to see a comprehensive government program to reduce energy consumption.
The intelligent environment system adjusts the settings on air conditioners based on humidity, temperature, and the density of carbon dioxide in the indoor air, so as to conserve energy.
Nobel, who is the president of the Nobel Charitable Trust, an organization devoted to developing renewable energies and protecting the environment, is in Taiwan for a six-day visit. He delivered the keynote speech Tuesday at the Energy Efficiency and Green Environment Forum.
About Us
The economic and social health of our civilization as a whole directly depends on availability and consumption of freely available energy.
A great deal of this use today is met by fossil fuels, with a strong probability of an increase in the years to come.
Alternative renewable energy sources on the other hand count for but a few percentages of the worldwide energy consumption, both today and for the foreseeable future.
Unless we assert a new course starting now.
MISSION
We, Michael Nobel, Gustaf Nobel, Philip Nobel and Peter Nobel, members of the Nobel Family, have with great concern observed the rapid depletion of oil and gas sources accompanied by increases in global temperature and pollution of land, water and air.
It is a serious crisis in the making.
We deem it our mission to help stimulate and encourage positive change so as to remedy this crisis. Thus, we have formed the Nobel Charitable Trust.
Cornerstone to our purpose is the establishment of a prestigious international award honoring individuals, organizations or companies who have contributed significantly to improving the conditions that threaten our global habitat.
No award we are aware of serves a higher purpose that of sustaining our planet and our species.
The Michael Nobel Energy Award
The Michael Nobel Energy Award will be given to individuals and organizations that deserve distinction in the following four categories:
Scientists and/or institutions who have made important discoveries in the renewable energy field or whose discoveries could lead to reduction in pollution and global warming.
Corporate leaders or companies who have demonstrated successful efforts in finding new solutions in the energy field in order to reduce consumption of nonrenewable energy and its resulting side effects.
Policy makers who have distinguished themselves by implementing policy actions in order to reduce non-renewable energy consumption, pollution and warming of the earth and its atmosphere.
Public Advocacy Representatives who, by using their position as public figures and opinion leaders, substantially helped influence the public regarding the need for alternative and renewable energy sources as well as encouraged efforts in reducing global warming.
The award will be presented annually or bi-annually in the form of a medal, a diploma and a symbolic sum. The winners will be presented at a televised gala dinner
The Ludwig Nobel Energy Conference
The Ludwig Nobel Energy Conference is another major initiative of the NCT, taking place bi-annually with a focus on renewable energy sources and ways of combating pollution and global warming. It will include participants from major suppliers and consumers of such energy sources as well as scientists and legislators. We hope to make this conference a centerpiece in the ever-growing dialog of change.
Scholarships. Part of funds collected will be used for scholarships to young scientists who have, within the fields of renewable energy, and reduction of pollution and global warming, made significant discoveries yet lack the resources to develop their innovations.
By doing this, the founders of the NCT hope to help solve some of the most urgent and important problems of the energy crisis facing mankind in the decades and centuries to come.
We firmly believe it behooves each of us to make a contribution to alleviate the problems that threaten all of us now. It is our hope and belief that our efforts will contribute to promising new solutions to the issues of decreasing energy supplies, global warming and pollution of the earth.
Support
The Nobel Charitable Trust was created to affect change beginning in our own lifetimes through our activities, grants and awards.
By participating in, and supporting the Nobel Charitable Trust, you are taking a stand for our future as a species, as a life-sustaining planet. It is our position that nothing is more important than this.
We welcome your support.
Founders
Michael Nobel
Gustaf Nobel
Philip Nobel
Peter Nobel
Board of Trustees Switzerland
Michael Nobel
Gustaf Nobel
Philip Nobel
Peter Nobel
David Lee
David Matsumoto
Board of governors
Switzerland
Kazumi Mori
Gene Maillard
Chief Executive Officer, United States
Eugene Maillard -
Chief Executive Officer, Japan
David Matsumoto
Offices
Sweden
Switzerland
United States
Japan
Korea (in progress)
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