Last year I joined the Board of Directors of CHIBAS, a non-profit research center on bio-energy and sustainable agriculture based in Haiti. I was enormously relieved to find out that the Executive Director and Research Director, Gael Pressior and his family and colleagues are all fine after the earthquake. We are working with colleagues at a variety of organizations, including LAC-CORE, to facilitate the rapid deployment of renewable energy technologies for lighting, heat, electricity, water purification, and other critical needs.
CHIBAS is working to develop and promote the use of multipurpose crops that could contribute to job creation while improving both the food and energy security in Haiti. CHIBAS has strong research capabilities and highly qualified personnel in both agronomy and genetics.
In 2007 I went on a month-long road rally across the US, Mexico, and most of Central America using waste grease and biodiesel. Pictures and descriptions from our visits to sustainable biodiesel producers along the way can be found