The Livable Blog

Peak Oil, Peak Phosphorus and Peak Sewage

05/23/09

12:01:00 am, by NicS, 245 words

Categories: Livable Region, Oil & Gas

Peak Oil, Peak Phosphorus and Peak Sewage

When oil prices reached their all time peak last August, fertilizer prices peaked as well. Most nitrogen fertilizer comes from natural gaz, of which there is currently an over supply situation holding the price down. However phosphorus supplies have reached such a peak in pricing that old ways of fertilizing food crops are coming back into vogue. Sewage is being used to extract phosphorus from here in Vancouver as reported in this article in The Globe & Mail.

In reality, the only odour emanating from Vancouver-based Ostara's high-grade fertilizer is the smell of money. Phosphorous is a key component in fertilizer and, as such, a pillar that props up global agricultural output. However, as my colleague Mark Hume described earlier this week, traditional mined phosphorous production is headed toward a cliff: Output may peak as early as 2035, and would plummet after that. Already, China (one of just three producers) has put enormous export tariffs on its phosphate production in order to make sure its supplies stay in the country.

Some further links on Peak Phosphorus and Sewage recycling:

http://www.uts.edu.au/new/speaks/2009/February/resources/1802-slides-3.pdf"

http://www.energybulletin.net/node/33164

http://www.energybulletin.net/node/48898

http://www.ceep-phosphates.org/Newsletter/shwNewsList.asp?NID=3&HID=4

I view this recycling development as good news for Vancouver. Now if only we could do the same with our garbage and not start burning it.

And finally for you purist do-it-yourselfers, there's The Humanure Handbook"

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Our goal as the Livable Region Coalition (LRC) is to provide a voice for those who believe that efficient and sustainable transportation is a cornerstone for the future of the Lower Mainland. We believe that through creating attractive transportation choices, encouraging urban density, and preserving green space and agricultural land, we can make our communities better places to live and grow.

We believe that the provincial government's strategy to pursue excessive development through the Gateway project is detrimental to the well-being of Greater Vancouver. The Gateway project's stated goals of reducing pollution and congestion will not materialize. Evidence for this comes from many sources. Instead, we advocate real solutions that will actually work and will be less expensive.