A new tobacco variant is apparently the key ingredient in an effort by Boeing, South African Airways, and SkyNRG to come up with a sustainable aviation biofuel. Along the way, the project could help tobacco farmers convert their production from a crop that leads to many thousands of hideous, premature deaths when used as directed (Mrs. Brasloff, this one’s for you). “SkyNRG is expanding production of the hybrid plant called Solaris as an energy crop that farmers can grow instead of traditional tobacco,” Hower reports. “Test farming of the plants, which are nicotine-free, is under way in South Africa, with biofuel production expected from large and small farms in the next few years.” (h/t to Jenelle Ross/LinkedIn for pointing us to this story)
- The climate news you need. Subscribe now to our engaging new weekly digest.
- You’ll receive exclusive, never-before-seen-content, distilled and delivered to your inbox every weekend.
- The Weekender: Succinct, solutions-focused, and designed with the discerning reader in mind.
