Central American Biodiesel Project
Whitman Direct Action sees itself as part of a vision: the existence of a Central American biodiesel network that supports sustainable community-based growth and improvement. To this end, Whitman Direct Action (WDA) is planning a trip to Central America from June 15th to August 2nd 2006 to collaborate with various organizations on biodiesel projects. Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that can help solve the impacts of petroleum dependence and create socially uplifting jobs by providing the opportunity for communities to grow their own fuel.
As an example of the projects that we are working on, from July 1st -18th, WDA will be working with Sustainable Harvest International (SHI) at their demo farm outside of San Pedro Sula, Honduras to help found a self-sustaining biodiesel research, education, and outreach center. We plan to train Sustainable Harvest’s staff in the mechanics of biodiesel processor fabrication and biodiesel production, as well as develop strategies for distributing supplies and resources for biodiesel education. In addition, we plan to oversee the construction of Sustainable Harvest’s own model small-scale biodiesel processor.
To inaugurate the completion of the biodiesel resource center, WDA and SHI will host an international biodiesel conference and expo; our goal is to teach people through hands-on workshops how to build small-scale processors, as well as raise awareness about biodiesel’s potential as a renewable fuel alternative. We are currently seeking conference attendees who are dedicated to promoting and embodying social and environmental responsibility. By putting biodiesel technology directly in the hands of NGOs and community members, we can build the foundation of a viable biodiesel network. At the end of our conference, half of our members will offer their services from SHI’s demo farm to help start biodiesel programs with promising and enthusiastic conference attendees. Both before and after our project with SHI, we will have time, and are interested in starting similar biodiesel outreach centers, or in working on community projects.