We've heard a lot of talk in the media about decreasing our dependence on foreign oil. For one reason or another our dependency continues. Here is a link to what GE is doing to help: http://www.ge.com/news/audio_video/index.html
Questions: Do you think that biofuel is something that can completely replace oil? Why aren't companies doing more research in this area? How come we don't hear about the work that many companies are doing already? What do you think about the concept of biofuel?
GE seems to be taking the lead in this area. We would assume that in the five stage process of social responsibility that they are at least at the "strategy" stage and may even be at the "civil" stage. How would you classify their level of involvement in CSR and why?
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I think that biofuel will not replace oil based fuel completely. If companies wanted to transform oil to biofuel it would take a lot of time to figure out if every type of machinery would be compatible. There would have to be a lot of research and money invested into transfroming every type of oil based fuel to biofuel.
It is a good idea to start to experiment with biofuel now, because our oil supply will not last forever, and it will not always be the base to our fuel.
I don't think that biofuel will completely replace oil. Oil is widely used in many things that we currently use. So, to create the conversion from oil to biofuel will cause a lot of change. Many companies are not jumping to start even the research, because it is costly and time consuming. We can't be certain that it will function.
Not everyone is aware of this new idea of "biofuel".People are not concerned yet, because we haven't run out of the non-renewable resource. I don't think the dilemma has hit us as hard as it might in the near future.
If, one day it becomes possible to convert everything to biofuel, we can not guarntee that every one would support it. It is possible that the change will not be accepted by those who can't accept the change, support it, or afford it.
The conversion of petroleum based energy to bio energy is a change that is inevitable. Right now, it may seem as if we have an abundance of oil, but the reality is oil is a fossil fuel that we have a limited supply of. It’s not renewable and cannot be recycled. There will come a time where we have to look at other alternatives. That change will not be in my lifetime, nevertheless, a change will have to be made. I applaud GE for initiating this change. Their bringing awareness to an issue many people overlook in this country.
I believe our dependency on foreign oil is so enormous and such a money maker for huge companies that this idea bio energy may get “swept under the carpet.” Perhaps a change could mean a tremendous loss in revenue for mega companies such as Exxon Mobil, who by the way, just broke their own record of largest annual profit by a U.S. company. Companies such as this also can be very persuasive with the government.
I think GE is taking a proactive approach when it comes to social responsibility. Not only are they raising awareness in the corporate world, but also in society.
I do not believe that biofuel will replace oil because, if you consider the chemistry involved in the process of creating biofuel it is wasteful of energy and still dependant on oil. Creating biofuel uses more energy than the actual fuel produces. Plus in order to create biofuel, energy from coal and petroleum is still needed. Thus biofuel may not be the answer but it certainly is on the right path. The reality is, oil will run out according to experts within the next one hundred years. We all have to remember that not only is the oil being depleted, but people in third world countries such as China are using more and more oil each year to aid their industrialization. Therefore, we will need to react to this emergency either now when we can have a slower transition period, or we can allow the situation to reach crisis and react then. Money will be made in the alternative fuel market, but the consumer is slow to change so the big corporations are slow as well.
Biofuel will not completely replace oil in the near future. I believe they have to build new machinary first that will use this product. This would be more cost effective than trying to convert existing products. They are headed in the right direction but my questions are...
How much energy does it take to produce this Biofuel?
Why weren't these companies thinking about this back in the late 70's / 80's?
Why did they wait until costs are up on everything not just fuel?
Did they think we had a never ending supply?
The biofuel would be nice if it was possible, but that would take a long time and we are a big country and it would take a lot in order to get to that point. Sounds good to have it but who is going to spend the time and the money to do this maybe someone that can afford it and wants to take the risk. The only thing that I could think of its just to keep it on mind. I mean you can never said this is not going to happen we do not know.
I believe that it is possible for biofuel to replace oil but it would have to be introduced and explained to the public how it's used, what it's made of and where it comes from along with what affects it has on the economy and environment. I think the reason this isn't being used widely today is because no one wants to buy into it because it's easier to stick with what works instead of change. I think we don't hear about companies who work with it already because oil companies are probably trying to keep it quiet because this is the kind of thing that could put them out of business. I feel biofuel would work fine if they can make it just as efficient as oil and if it's cheaper than I'm all for it.
With the rise in fuel costs these days, I think that it is critical for research to continue, and look for new fuel alternatives. Unfortunatly, with the way oil is used today I think the transformation would be insanely expensive, and take years to fully develop and completely replace oil based fuel with biofuel. Why, with all the technology and innovation we have these days, does this seem so far-fetched? I think its great that these experiments are taking place. If this is still taken seriously a few years from now I think they may be on to something life-changing.
oil will never be replaced by biofuel. the oil industry is one of the largest in the world. you dont hear about any sort of research because the researchers are not making a great deal of progress. Biofuel will help slow the use of oil but never replace it.
I don't think so that biofuel will replace oil. First, it cost alot of money. Second, People always use oil, so they wont stop using it for something that they don't know who works. Third, Biofuel is is wasteful of energy. I know its a good idea, but nobody is going to spend the money and time doing this.
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