Bio-Diesel in Trucks: Protecting the Environment
Posted by: Lillian Marie Lauran / Category: EnvironmentSuper hurricanes, protracted drought and other weird weather conditions occur regularly which our ancestors haven’t experienced in their lifetime. We all know that this extreme climate change is a result of global warming. Global warming adversely affects the biodiversity of all living things, melts the polar caps and increases the water content of our oceans and streams. So, we see islands disappearing from the face of the earth and the extinction of flora and fauna. The culprit is the burning of fossil fuels that release greenhouse gases. These gases – carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide – snugly encase the earth trapping heat within. We’ve heard it a long time ago but hadn’t taken action.
Greenhouse Gas Online reports that 30 percent of carbon dioxide originates from transportation. The developed world is heavily dependent on the supply of gasoline. Out of the 30 percent carbon dioxide emissions, diesel engines from buses, delivery and semi-trailer trucks discharge one third of the carbon dioxide emissions.
During the 1930s, the trucking industry took over the rails as the main mode of transport of agricultural products from farms to cities. The beginning of the trucking system created a problem of fuel emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide dirtying the highways and roads with repugnant soot. This started the accumulation of man-made greenhouse gases. Further, GreenHouse gas reveals that for the past 100 years there had been a fast accumulation of greenhouse gases starting the process of global warming. Obviously, the need for transportation is to be blamed.
Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of the diesel engine started out using vegetable oil to fuel his experimental prototype, which is named after him. Yet when trucks were invented which run on diesel engines, the fuel that was popularly used was a refined derivative of gasoline the so-called petroleum diesel. But, he was hopeful that people with diesel engines will find a way to use vegetable fuel for his invention. During the 1920′s and 1930′s, several European countries utilized bio-diesels as an alternative fuel.
Obviously, bio-diesel wins a lot of points more than using petrol diesel for the environment and our pockets. Bio-diesels used in trucks utilize vegetable or animal oils. These oils are usually from soy or rapeseed. Or from used restaurant oil and reused for the manufacture of bio-diesels, a nice way of recycling our waste. Additionally, bio-diesel is completely biodegradable and renewable.
And this is the most important of all, utilizing bio-diesels decreases carbon dioxide emission from trucks, the filth that we hate. Wang and Lyons conducted a study done in 2000 in West Virginia University comparing the emissions of trucks on bio-diesel and trucks on pure petroleum diesel. The results reveal that the bio-diesel fueled trucks have lower particulate matter, lower carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions than the trucks that were fueled with petrol.
One gallon of gasoline utilized by a diesel engine releases 20 pounds of carbon dioxide. Now, if a trucking company uses 12,000 gallons a year of petrol diesel that would amount to 240,000 pounds of heat-trapping carbon dioxide released in the earth’s atmosphere. Supposing all trucking companies world wide decide to use bio-diesels, we’ll expect a much lesser carbon dioxide emission and then slows the process of global warming. Isn’t that something?
On the highways, trucks on petrol have that nasty habit of spewing repugnant noxious fumes. These fumes contain carcinogenic chemicals that increase lung cancer risk. They spew out sulfur that causes acid rain formation. Here’s more, their noise irritate the ears. Using bio-diesel on trucks gives off a much cleaner smell and moves silently along the highways. A relief for everyone’s nose and ears.
Studies reveal that trucks fueled by bio-diesels aren’t less efficient in terms of mileage. Skeptics say that they aren’t as efficient as trucks on petrol. But, researches clearly prove that there is no significant decrease or increase in fuel mileage. Trucks on Bio-diesel are at par with those on petrol. We all know the upside. Trucks on bio-diesel deliver goods, people and furniture and do other tasks cleanly and quietly.
Convinced that the best way to a healthier earth, several trucking companies run exclusively on bio-diesels. The fleet of trucks of Serenity Movers is fueled by bio-diesels and travels 55,000 miles per year transporting furniture efficiently, safely, sweetly and serenely.
If all the trucks utilize bio-diesel, the catastrophic scenario that prophets of gloom keep harking on would be averted. Evidently, the process of global warming will drastically decelerate. We might yet be able to save the melting of the polar caps, save some flora and fauna species from extinction and avert disastrous consequences in our planet. As a bonus, we’ll save our dollars, stop our dependence on oil and pay our farmers more. We’ll be able to nurture a sustainable, productive and safe world as a legacy for our children.
If we want to experience a better world, it’s time to advocate and choose shipping services using bio-fuels. Let’s all take action!
Lillian Marie Lauran publishes on behalf of NY moving specialists Serenity Movers. Next time you move – look for GREEN NY movers. Choose Serenity Movers New York.
