Global Community

The biofuels revolution is spreading the means of energy production to a constituency much wider than that of fossil fuels. While a large portion of fossil fuel is concentrated in a few spots around the world, the production of feedstocks for biodiesel can be undertaken anywhere that there is sufficient land, water, and sun. Newly appreciated feedstocks such as Jatropha and Camelina are now democratizing energy revenue without displacing food production.

This will have beneficial economic and social effects and it is important that these benefits not be concentrated (as is the case with most fossil fuels). Rather, they can form the basis for communities where equality is embraced. Land rights are key to this process and Sirona Fuels is working to source its feedstocks from communities that directly benefit from the production that occurs within their regions.

Biodiesel production can generate many benefits to a wide range of communities across the globe. But it can also have adverse consequences that achieve the opposite effect that was intended. Lessons that were learned by the destruction of virgin rainforest for Palm oil plantations in the 1990s starkly illustrate this danger. But land use and property right have subtle distinctions and it is important that these be considered so that mistakes are not repeated.

The Sirona team is committed to engaging communities in long term relationships. Sirona Fuels will bring economic opportunities to our communities while the Sirona Cares foundation will address specific needs and aspirations of the people in the communities we partner with. Respecting everyone's place in a global community will yield long term sustainability and avoid short term interests being pursued to the detriment of the majority.