French Guiana is located in the eastern-most part of South America. The majority of its population is indigenous rainforest tribes and has lived off the land for centuries. Its most unique feature, the “Island of Macaroons,” has seen the destruction of one-third of its forests in the last thirty years. This tragic event has inspired many writers to write about life in French Guiana, thus creating a rich source of literature about the scenic beauty of this small French Polynesia island.
The French government has recently committed itself to preserve the rainforests. It has also announced plans to convert thirty percent of the territory into a biosphere or an area that is ecological in nature. These plans are part of a drive to make the island more self-sufficient in terms of its energy requirements while reducing its carbon footprint. More than half of the original forest has already been cleared, and new growth will be strictly limited. Only certain parts of the island’s central plateau and southeast coast will bear crops. Only a fraction of the remaining rainforest will be planted with biofuels.
French Guiana Capital
One of the attractions of French Guiana is that it has a large diversity of life. Most people think of only the lush rainforest when thinking of the island, but the fact of the matter is that French Guiana also boasts diverse flora and fauna. In fact, the island boasts more unique flora and fauna than any other place in the world. Some fifty thousand different species of plants grow on French Guiana, making it one of the most biodiverse places in the world. Much of this biodiversity is due to the island’s position in the Caribbean Sea, where it derives its most rainfall.
Rainforest biofuels are being used to reduce France’s dependence on oil. There are plans to build new power stations in French Guiana to allow the island to become self-sufficient. A recent study showed that if these plans come to fruition, half of France’s electricity would come from renewable energy sources by 2021. Biomass gas from the rainforest could supply the power required for up to twenty percent of France’s electricity. This is just the beginning, as the rainforest also harbors many other natural biofuels that would allow the country to become completely independent from oil.
Global Warming Effect
As the world debates the effects of global warming, French Guiana is being recognized for its role in slowing down climate change. Global warming has threatened to wreak havoc on French Guiana’s rainforests and environment. If nothing is done to stem climate change, temperatures in French Guiana will rise above freezing and have devastating effects on the rainforest and its people. Biomass gas from the rainforest would help mitigate some of the consequences of global warming and allow France to preserve its forests and maintain its independence from oil.
In addition to saving the French economy, the deployment of biofuels from French Guiana also provides a positive shot for the global economy. Biomass plays a huge role in the reduction of carbon emissions that contribute to climate change. By utilizing wood waste and turning it into biofuels, French residents can greatly reduce their carbon footprint. The United Nations Environment Program estimates that burning wood for energy releases eighteen times more carbon than the normal burning of coal and six times more carbon than the normal burning of petroleum products. Utilizing biomass for fuel has the potential to reduce carbon emissions even more and is a considerably cleaner fuel source than fossil fuels.
Things To Know
In addition to the positives of the Biomass Carbon Pollution Removal project, French citizens are starting to see the importance of preserving the rainforest. As the economy grows and the demand for power grows, France will be increasingly important to the global energy picture. The growth of the Biomass Carbon Project is expected to bolster the economy and the demand for wood energy products worldwide. This project is helping to make French President Nicholas Sarkozi’s government a world leader in the use of biomass as an alternative form of energy.
Bottom Line
If built properly, the new windmill farm should create enough electricity for every household in French Guiana. The wind energy produced by the farm should help to reduce the amount of fossil fuels needed to generate electricity for the French government and the French people. The government is providing financial incentives to project developers and has also offered loans to local businesses and organizations to help them build the 120-megawatt plant. The project is expected to produce enough green energy to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and further strengthen the economy. Wind power farms are one of the best ways to become more self-sufficient and independent in energy production.
