Jatropha

THE latter-day Luddites who make up the bulk of the eco-fascists always jeer at the idea that human ingenuity and modern technology will provide an answer to the world's so-called energy crisis ( so-called because it is complete tosh that we are in imminent danger of running out of crude oil).

For former Marxists they betray a singular lack of history knowledge. They also betray a particular conservate mindset. Take windmills, which they are so fond of. Windmills were high tech in the 13th century, for heaven's sake.

Technology in the form of the petrol engine saved modern cities from drowning in horse manure. And technology will "save" us again.

To the rescue this time is a nasty old oil company -- BP -- which has just announced that it is funding a US$9.4 million project in India to demonstrate the feasibility of producing bio-diesel from jatropha curcas.

For those who don't know,this is a plant that grows on marginal land, not used for growing food, whose seeds, when crushed produce natural diesel oil.

Now that is a damn sight better idea than attempting to make small farmers of the disgruntled unemployed who reluctantly still scratch a living in the Transkei.

Another great BP idea comes from Australia where they already make 110 million litres of bio-diesel every year using tallow as a feedstock. For the uninitiated, tallow is mutton fat rendered down. It used to be used to make candles long ago.

Is the DME listening I wonder?