Beyond Fossil Fuels: The Rise of Sustainable Alternatives
Excessive dependence on fossil fuels jeopardizes human survival on the planet. Dependence on petroleum and coal must give way to alternative sources of biofuels, hydrogen, and electrofuels.
Episode 21
1/9/2025
To even come close to meeting greenhouse gas emission reduction goals, fossil fuels need to make way for sustainable sources of energy that provide liquid fuel and electricity. Not only are these alternative fuels more likely to make climate change mitigation goals realistic, but sustainable fuels actually save energy, as they are far less energy-intensive to produce. Jorden and Kimberly discuss the viability of biofuels, hydrogen, and electrofuels and where change is most needed and likely to happen.
Key Topics Jorden and Kimberly discuss include:
The benefits and disadvantages of the main contenders
Where electrification fits into the grand scheme of alternative fuels
Why countries turned to biofuels in the 1970s
Why Kimberly hates the US Farm Bill
How to differentiate the hydrogen colors of the rainbow
How the aviation industry is the biggest user and eco-challenge
Where and why hydrogen buses proliferate
How fungi can save the planet—or at least offer a sustainable fuel source
Recommended Resources
A comprehensive overview of sustainable fuels
About Biofuels and their sustainability issues
The King Corn documentary
US Fact Sheet Briefing Fact Sheet for 2035 Clean Energy Economy – a comprehensive list of US advancements in clean energy
How Mushrooms will save the day!
All about hydrogen for energy
US Energy Consumption for 2023
Kimberly’s Substack newsletter post
