X Prize Crazy Green Idea: Regenerative Algae Farms

For the X Prize competition, I propose the winning company must create a floating algae farm in the ocean, that creates carbon negative biofuels, and is ecologically regenerative at the same time. Not just producing abstract ecological benefit like carbon credits, but actually serving as living machines to regenerate the ocean ecology. Floating farms could create habitat and edges, refugia for declining ocean species. These farms could also sequester and remove toxins in the ocean. The need for sustainable fuel sources is obvious. I believe this idea is both pioneering economically and ecologically.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• x prize
• xprize
• algae
• biofuel
• sustainability
• ocean
• ecology

[citizenkong]

As long as it is not bio-engineered algae.

I've heard worse.

do you have a fresh water plan.

Kids hate seafood. . . ha! just kidding.

Keep on coming up with great ideas!

[feralkevin]

Thanks for the comment. I guess I shouldn't assume that "DO NO HARM" automatically excludes bio-engineered algae. Freshwater needs a plan for sure.  I chose ocean stuff because it requires a scale beyond local community. I think most other solutions need to be local and small scale. Only the big big ones like ocean pollution, nuclear, etc necessitate these larger moneyed infrastructures. (Like the X Prize recepients).

[Taranau]

This sounds more constructive than sinking old ships to make new reefs.Although,we need more reefs as well.Whether global warming is human generated,or a natural process,or a combination of both.We need to do what we can to stabilize the atmosphere and weather patterns...After no seafood comes no landfood...And soylent green is people.

[feralkevin]

Indeed, Soylent green is people.

[NinjaCoden]

you know its funny...we live in the knowledge age YET WE STILL USE OIL hmmmm

[GreenLearning]

"Um, sorry kids I was more important that you.." That's pretty much what everyone is saying with current lifestyles.

[pb0358]

Check out Project OMEGA at NASA

[bizwiz27]

intriguing idea no doubt. Maintanance costs could be offset by allowing for limited drilling offshore to oil companies. Seems like it could work......Thats more than most people are contributing these days

[chuffwit]

Meaningless blather, and you're just repeating others ideas. How do you actually DO this? Come back when you have a thought of your own///

[ioxmars]

sorry kids,oh well

[silentonall]

Wait a second! I doubt you green-guy. Plankton WILL rule the world! The Chum Bucket will dominate the Krusty Krab. Plankton will get the Krabby Patty secret formula soon!

All hail the Chum Bucket!!!

[mconn2112]

The oceans are our lifeline. Great vid.

[irkone]

I'm not sure how much you have read about algae and ocean ecosystems, but algae left uneaten, according to biologist Jim Laurie (recently interviewed on Radio Ecoshock and part of the Google group "soil-age"), is what causes dead zones. They form mats, sink to the bottom of the ocean, and decay, leading to the formation of these zones. It's a very informative show, and so is the google group. I suggest checking it out along with permaculture.

[Taranau]

I've had conversations,both actual and Youtube,with people who watched that movie,a long time ago.They thought,back then,that there was no way the situatuion would ever come down to that...Nowadays,they're not so sure.