And where is the bulk of the palm oil grown? On land "reclaimed" from rain forest. Yes, this is clearly a green solution.....

"It is somewhat confusing that other people are worried about GHG emissions."

Why do they have to be separate? GHG, thus climate change, have already caused havoc on production of certain crops (wheat, for example). Improper management of our lands will probably result in shortage in biofuel production in the long run.

If peak oil theories are right on the dot, that does not mean that the world will have no need for ANY fuel, but rather fuel for public/personal transportation will be greatly affected. People may have to give up their cars, but goods, especially food, will still have to be transported by methods that will consume the remaining supply of fuel.

I don't want to make this to be about peak oil, being green, or about climate change, because it's all somewhat irrelevant. Our energy consumption rate will not change until some major disruption occur, thus all that's left is whether you believe the theories or not.

If not, be happy that your next ten years will be secure in terms of availability of energy. If you do worry about such issues, you can do things for yourself to prepare; learn how to live with less energy; this is not only good for helping the cause, but once you get energy cost down to a small percentage of your expenditure, then any major spike in energy prices will affect you as much as others. You can spend more money on insulation for your home. If you’re in the market to replace appliances, TV, water-heater, or AC units, do a little research and invest into energy-efficient models.

We can debate about technology X that will saving us all in the future, but driving a sensible, fuel-efficient vehicle that will meet most of your needs, and rent the big trucks for the occasional events would do plenty to saving money and fuel. Help your company develop the carpooling program in case public transportation is not available, so that if/when gas prices finally hit Y dollars per gallon, you can still commute to work. Do what you think is best to prepare, cause I think that’s probably the most that one can do these days…

Thanks for the answer. I already have nearly the smallest available car, the European version of the Geo Metro. And no AC, neither in the car nor at home. So fully prepared for the Peak...or at least as prepared as possible.

All very well but most palm oil currently produced and especially in the Far East is grown on slash and burnt rainforests.

Palm oil sounds like a real winner, possibly planting jatropha trees between the palm if the root systems can coexist. No mention was made of a litres/hectare comparison for jojoba, karanja, jatropha, palm or switchgrass.
Here in Florida we have have a a big percentage of the total palm tree population and was wondering if fuel bearing plants could be grafted to exiting trees

They don't call Rain Forests the lungs of the World for no reason.

Simply producing green fuels is not the only answer. You need to reduce consumption and minimise the impact the alternative fuels will have otherwise you may as well burn oil.

This proposal is not a solution worthy of any merit. Not that palm oil itself is the problem, just that growing it in Malysia is an enviromental disaster.

I'm not American chap so I don't drive an SUV.

I'm repeating what I've read in numerous newspapers about Palm oil plantations. So where did these plantations come from originally? Open ground?

I'm only referring to Malaysia here as it was Petronas that was mentioned (who are a Malaysian company last time I looked). I'm sure you're right that there are worse culprits out there though eg Indonesia, I'd have to take your word for it.

It is extremely sad to see rain forest to be chopped into pieces or burnt into bits like this. But heck, this is just a supply and demand graph. Somebody is frying chicken with palm oil everyday, someone else gotta produce the oil somewhere.

And the biodiesel, actually, it is EU that have high demand for it, and the price is good. Another supply and demand stuff. Oil palm planters are extremely attracted by how rapeseed oil price were brought up by biodiesel. They want money.

Even thou the gov here in M'sia said they stopped clearing rain forest, but how is it? Or it is just some public feel good reaction? Just like soy oil producers always bash palm oil for being unhealthy and killing rain forest, we are bashing all the western majerin oil have high trans fatty acid that clogs you heart.

Now who is speaking the truth? Who should we believe? no matter what, the consumer is going to be the victim.