The ultimate model for sustainability is nature itself, with its cycles of growth, death, rebirth and built-in self-correcting mechanisms. Underlying the talk of sustainable bioenergy is a realization that we humans often barrel along without considering the impacts of what we do on the long term sustainability of the system.
 
 Seems to me like the economists should spend some time contemplating what sustainable economic systems would look like. The economic talk of late sounds like everyone thought the economy could grow forever. <a href=" http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/08/opinion/08friedman.html?em ">Thomas Friedman posed an interesting idea in a recent column.</a> "We must have growth, but we must grow in a different way. For starters, economies need to transition to the concept of net-zero, whereby buildings, cars, factories and homes are designed not only to generate as much energy as they use but to be infinitely recyclable in as many parts as possible. Let's grow by creating flows rather than plundering more stocks." 
 
 I remember being astonished at a large international organic food show held in Germany with three halls in the convention complex filled with hundreds of vendors. Several thousand people attended the show. There was not one disposable cup or fork or plate to be found. (I don't remember if the napkins were disposable.) Instead all the food vendors used real glasses, china dishes and silverware. And, all of the food booths did as well for their food samples (including all but one organic wine booth that used tiny plastic cups for wine samples - the rest had long-stemmed wine glasses). Every hall had dish washing stations where the exhibitors could wash their own dishes. I later learned that Germany requires manufacturers to handle the disposal of its products when its lifespan is over. Thus, appliances in Germany are made to be repaired. (What a novel idea. I wonder what they do with obsolete electronics?)
 

 Friedman goes on to say he's an optimist. "People are already using this economic slowdown to retool and reorient economies. Germany, Britain, China and the U.S. have all used stimulus bills to make huge new investments in clean power. South Korea's new national paradigm for development is called: ‘Low carbon, green growth.' Who knew? People are realizing we need more than incremental changes - and we're seeing the first stirrings of growth in smarter, more efficient, more responsible ways."
 
 The bioenergy economy will be integral to that low carbon, clean power future. We hope the growing emphasis on thinking through sustainability will help us make better choices as we build a new economy – one that serves the triple bottom line of people, planet and profit. Indeed, we think the biomass industry can lead the way.

The ultimate model for sustainability is nature itself, with its cycles of growth, death, rebirth and built-in self-correcting mechanisms. Economists need contemplate sustainability every bit as much as biofuels producers and the biomass industry.

Economies Need to Grow in Sustainable Way

Upcoming Events

2026 International Biomass Conference & Expo

Carbon Capture & Storage Summit

International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo

Sustainable Fuels Summit: SAF, Renewable Diesel and Biodiesel

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Upcoming Events

2026 International Biomass Conference & Expo

Carbon Capture & Storage Summit

International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo

Sustainable Fuels Summit: SAF, Renewable Diesel and Biodiesel

Economies Need to Grow in Sustainable Way