The PGSSec CommitteeThe PGSSec Committee

Who are we. Who are we. What is are mandate.What is are mandate. Our activities.Our activities.

Here on Earth Speaker Here on Earth Speaker SeriesSeries

Three themes:Three themes: New directions in environmental New directions in environmental

research.research. Beyond the University.Beyond the University. McGill’s current and future McGill’s current and future

environmental policy. Monday, April environmental policy. Monday, April 3. Speakers: Kathleen Ng and the 3. Speakers: Kathleen Ng and the Sustainability Project. Sustainability Project.

The Potential Use of The Potential Use of Grasses as BiofuelsGrasses as Biofuels

Chris WrobelChris WrobelMSc. Plant ScienceMSc. Plant ScienceMacDonald CollegeMacDonald CollegeMcGill universityMcGill university

Changing Face of World Changing Face of World AgricultureAgriculture

Changing Face of World Changing Face of World AgricultureAgriculture

Rural economies hard Rural economies hard pressed.pressed.

US share of world US share of world agriculture has dropped.agriculture has dropped.

China now 2China now 2ndnd largest largest corn exporter; Brazil corn exporter; Brazil major exporter of major exporter of soybeans.soybeans.

Search for alternative Search for alternative crops.crops.

The Advantages of The Advantages of Biofuel CropsBiofuel Crops

COCO2 2 neutral.neutral. Offset oil imports. Offset oil imports. $20 billion extra $20 billion extra

dollars.dollars. Remove emissions of Remove emissions of

70 million cars by 70 million cars by tripling biomass use.tripling biomass use.

Grass pelleting – Grass pelleting – home heating costs home heating costs are less. are less.

Perennial grasses as biofuelPerennial grasses as biofuelPerennial grasses as biofuelPerennial grasses as biofuel

It takes 70 days to grow a It takes 70 days to grow a grass crop and 70 million years grass crop and 70 million years to grow a crop of coal or oil.to grow a crop of coal or oil.

Inputs required for grass less Inputs required for grass less than for conventional than for conventional agriculture.agriculture.

Sequestering of carbon dioxide.Sequestering of carbon dioxide. Cleaning of wastewater.Cleaning of wastewater.

The Electric Snowmobile The Electric Snowmobile ProjectProject

Great potential. Great potential. Limited speed and distance.Limited speed and distance. No emissions.No emissions.

Rooftop GardeningRooftop Gardening

Up to 40% of food production in some third Up to 40% of food production in some third world countries is in the urban setting.world countries is in the urban setting.

Advantages: longer growing season, Advantages: longer growing season, reduced heat load, improved social reduced heat load, improved social atmosphere. atmosphere.

Water for the WorldWater for the World

Engineers Without BordersEngineers 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 dailyMontrealers: over 100 l daily Water to produce 1 kg of rice: over Water to produce 1 kg of rice: over

44,000 l.44,000 l. Water to produce 1 kg of meat: over Water to produce 1 kg of meat: over

100,000 l. 100,000 l.

The End is a New The End is a New BeginningBeginning

Green drinks.Green drinks. Format for get together – exchange Format for get together – exchange

of ideas, new friends, projects, etc…of ideas, new friends, projects, etc… Last Thursday of every month.Last Thursday of every month.

Other ProjectsOther Projects

Rooftop garden.Rooftop garden. Environmental audit of Thompson Environmental audit of Thompson

House.House. More networking.More networking. Other possibilities.Other possibilities.

Thank youThank you