The Olympic Games are proof of the energy created when the world comes together for a cause. This bodes well for the planet’s battle against global warming and the quest for renewable energy sources to sustain future generations.

Environmental responsibility has been pushed to the forefront of every major political agenda in recent months. Government mandates are pointing at alternative fuels as the go-to solution for climate control.

Calgary-based Bedford Biofuels (“Bedford”) syndicates private investment offerings in Canada, which facilitates its biofuel operations in Africa. In other words, small- or largescale investors in Canada can participate in a cutting-edge biofuel industry.

Bedford Biofuels’ president and CEO, David McClure, anticipates that the biofuel Bedford produces will have a 100-per-cent-absorption rate in the marketplace, will reduce carbon emissions and will benefit the African farmers working on Bedford land.

Jatropha curcas (“Jatropha”) is an oil-bearing, sub-tropical, drought-resistant tree able to grow in challenging environments. Jatropha produces nuts high in oil. Crude Jatropha Oil can be used to run any diesel engine and has tested successfully for use in aviation.

“When we were researching which biofuel feedstock to pursue, we found that Jatropha had the brightest future,” says McClure. “Jatropha is environmentally beneficial, humanitarian- in that its cultivation will naturally benefit the farmers in the areas we plant and their families, and it certainly has the potential to be profitable.”

In Kenya, Bedford, through its subsidiaries, plans to operate largescale Jatropha plantations, which will provide employment to locals. Through intercropping and the transfer of farming skills to local farmers and landowners, Bedford intends to contribute to long-term food and financial security. All of Bedford’s Jatropha operations will incorporate sustainable use of natural resources, farming practices and production.

In addition, Bedford’s humanitarian division, EMPOWER (Every Member Prospers on World Energy Resources) was formed to bring healthcare, education and food to the people in the areas where Bedford will operate. EMPOWER will also teach farmers to grow their own Jatropha in order to sell it for income to Bedford through its HALOW program (Helping African Land Owners Win).

In recent months, Bedford became a member of, and attended, the Clinton Global Initiative in New York City, a humanitarian and environmentally focused global movement started by former US president Bill Clinton. Keeping our global village clean Bedford Biofuels produces a renewable, carbon neutral biofuel Bedford was able to connect with government representatives, NGOs and environmentally focused corporations from around the world. Bedford also sponsored two speaking tours: A Conversation with Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton in June, 2009, and A Conversation with George W. Bush in October. The sold-out tours gave Bedford an opportunity to tell its story in Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton and Saskatoon.

Bedford also managed to secure the first third-party agreement with D1 Oils plc, a leading Jatropha research company. The five-year contract enables Bedford to implement best farming practices and techniques to maximize yields and to access seed genetics that optimize Jatropha production.

“Through all of our research, our meetings with decision makers from around the globe, the countless Canadian investors we’ve met with and our involvement with Bush and Clinton, it has become increasingly evident that we are in the right industry at the right time,” says McClure. “No one can deny the role biofuels will play in the near and distant future. Together with our investors, employees and especially the local farmers we are working with in Kenya, we are going to change the world.”

Contact Lissa Swihart, VP Communications, Bedford Biofuels: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it