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The PGSSec Committee

The PGSSec Committee. Who are we. What is are mandate. Our activities. Here on Earth Speaker Series. Three themes: New directions in environmental research. Beyond the University.

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The PGSSec Committee

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  1. The PGSSec Committee • Who are we. • What is are mandate. • Our activities.

  2. Here on Earth Speaker Series • Three themes: • New directions in environmental research. • Beyond the University. • McGill’s current and future environmental policy. Monday, April 3. Speakers: Kathleen Ng and the Sustainability Project.

  3. The Potential Use of Grasses as Biofuels Chris Wrobel MSc. Plant Science MacDonald College McGill university

  4. Changing Face of World Agriculture • Rural economies hard pressed. • US share of world agriculture has dropped. • China now 2nd largest corn exporter; Brazil major exporter of soybeans. • Search for alternative crops.

  5. The Advantages of Biofuel Crops • CO2 neutral. • Offset oil imports. • $20 billion extra dollars. • Remove emissions of 70 million cars by tripling biomass use. • Grass pelleting – home heating costs are less.

  6. Perennial grasses as biofuel • It takes 70 days to grow a grass crop and 70 million years to grow a crop of coal or oil. • Inputs required for grass less than for conventional agriculture. • Sequestering of carbon dioxide. • Cleaning of wastewater.

  7. The Electric Snowmobile Project • Great potential. • Limited speed and distance. • No emissions.

  8. Rooftop Gardening • Up to 40% of food production in some third world countries is in the urban setting. • Advantages: longer growing season, reduced heat load, improved social atmosphere.

  9. Water for the World • Engineers Without Borders • Some facts on water use: • Canadians: 33 l per day • Montrealers: over 100 l daily • Water to produce 1 kg of rice: over 44,000 l. • Water to produce 1 kg of meat: over 100,000 l.

  10. The End is a New Beginning • Green drinks. • Format for get together – exchange of ideas, new friends, projects, etc… • Last Thursday of every month.

  11. Other Projects • Rooftop garden. • Environmental audit of Thompson House. • More networking. • Other possibilities.

  12. Thank you

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