Another Biofuel?

Jatropha tree, which is native to South America, is able to grow wherever citrus trees are, such as Florida. The tree is a very good source of biofuel because it is able to stay alive for 50 years after being planted and can go up to six months without any water. Unlike soy, the number one source of biofuel right now, which needs to be replanted every year. Also jatropha are not a viable source of food, thus harvesting jatropha for biofuel will not take away from other people’s nutrients (as harvesting soy does). Not only that, but because the tree has just been discovered, in its wild (genetically unaltered form) it still provides up to 100 gallons of biofuel more per an acre than soy- and this number is only to go up as farmers and scientists determine how to get the most amount of seedpods from the tree. Florida farmers are wholeheartedly supporting this alternative source of biofuel because of the struggling economy they are facing in south Florida.

More information available at: http://www.time.com/time/video/?bcpid=1485842900&bctid=9561533001