The PGSSec Committee Who are we. Who are we. What is are mandate. What is are mandate. Our activities. Our activities.

Here on Earth Speaker Series Three themes: Three themes: New directions in environmental research. New directions in environmental research. Beyond the University. Beyond the University. McGill’s current and future environmental policy. Monday, April 3. Speakers: Kathleen Ng and the Sustainability Project. McGill’s current and future environmental policy. Monday, April 3. Speakers: Kathleen Ng and the Sustainability Project.

The Potential Use of Grasses as Biofuels Chris Wrobel MSc. Plant Science MacDonald College McGill university

Changing Face of World Agriculture Rural economies hard pressed. Rural economies hard pressed. US share of world agriculture has dropped. US share of world agriculture has dropped. China now 2 nd largest corn exporter; Brazil major exporter of soybeans. China now 2 nd largest corn exporter; Brazil major exporter of soybeans. Search for alternative crops. Search for alternative crops.

The Advantages of Biofuel Crops CO 2 neutral. CO 2 neutral. Offset oil imports. Offset oil imports. $20 billion extra dollars. $20 billion extra dollars. Remove emissions of 70 million cars by tripling biomass use. Remove emissions of 70 million cars by tripling biomass use. Grass pelleting – home heating costs are less. Grass pelleting – home heating costs are less.

Perennial grasses as biofuel It takes 70 days to grow a grass crop and 70 million years to grow a crop of coal or oil. It takes 70 days to grow a grass crop and 70 million years to grow a crop of coal or oil. Inputs required for grass less than for conventional agriculture. Inputs required for grass less than for conventional agriculture. Sequestering of carbon dioxide. Sequestering of carbon dioxide. Cleaning of wastewater. Cleaning of wastewater.

The Electric Snowmobile Project Great potential. Great potential. Limited speed and distance. Limited speed and distance. No emissions. No emissions.

Rooftop Gardening Up to 40% of food production in some third world countries is in the urban setting. Up to 40% of food production in some third world countries is in the urban setting. Advantages: longer growing season, reduced heat load, improved social atmosphere. Advantages: longer growing season, reduced heat load, improved social atmosphere.

Water for the World Engineers Without Borders Engineers Without Borders Some facts on water use: Some facts on water use: Canadians: 33 l per day Canadians: 33 l per day Montrealers: over 100 l daily Montrealers: over 100 l daily Water to produce 1 kg of rice: over 44,000 l. Water to produce 1 kg of rice: over 44,000 l. Water to produce 1 kg of meat: over 100,000 l. Water to produce 1 kg of meat: over 100,000 l.

The End is a New Beginning Green drinks. Green drinks. Format for get together – exchange of ideas, new friends, projects, etc… Format for get together – exchange of ideas, new friends, projects, etc… Last Thursday of every month. Last Thursday of every month.

Other Projects Rooftop garden. Rooftop garden. Environmental audit of Thompson House. Environmental audit of Thompson House. More networking. More networking. Other possibilities. Other possibilities.

Thank you