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Jessica Ochoa-Macas
Professor Grace Dillon
Race & Social Justice
12 February 2015
The Sunrise Project
Marine biotechnology also known as blue biotechnology is the scientific and engineering
principles in the processing of materials by marine biological agents to provide goods and
services beneficial for human beings, is the primary tool used for tapping into the tremendous
economic potential of the ocean. In other words, the findings of material that can be used as an
alternative to using oil fuel. We could all sit here and discuss what changes can be made in the
world, or what could better to stop global warning, but nobody takes action. We need to take
action to stop global warning from happening. Japan is taking action, Japan started a project
called, The Ocean Sunrise Project, their goal was to combat global warming by contributing
an alternative energy to fossil fuel. (Seaweed Bioethanol Production in Japan The Ocean
Sunrise Project, Oceans 2007, Sept 29, 2007- Oct 4, 2007, Aizawa, M. ; Asaoka, k. ; Atsumi,
M. ; Sakou, T.) A lot of countries dont use fossil fuel at all, and that is causing more damage to
our planet, and is the main reason why we are undergoing global warming, because no one is
changing over to fossil fuel. The two main counties you are most likely to see use fossil fuel is
the United States and Brazil. As quoted, U.S and Brazil is most commonly to see an expansion
of Biofuel production. (Seaweed Bioethanol Production in Japan The Ocean Sunrise Project,
Oceans 2007, Sept 29, 2007- Oct 4, 2007, Aizawa, M. ; Asaoka, k. ; Atsumi, M. ; Sakou, T.) The
United States is considered to be a power house, and full of resources, but they at most are not

finding ways to better the use of blue biotechnology. Meanwhile Japanese government has
planned to produce six million kl of biofuel by the year 2030. Its a long process, and taking
many years, but the outcome will benefit people, and to the environment.
The progress may be simpler than what people think, nut it does come with roadblocks,
but every project or experiment does. Japans mid-to long goal is to produce five million kl of
bioethanol by farming 150 million tons of Sargassum Flabellum, utilizing the water surface of
less than one percent of Japans economic zone. (Seaweed Bioethanol Production in Japan The
Ocean Sunrise Project, Oceans 2007, Sept 29, 2007- Oct 4, 2007, Aizawa, M. ; Asaoka, k. ;
Atsumi, M. ; Sakou, T.) To start growing the fossil fuel the main resource would be water, and
this is where the 70 percent of water land not being used comes in handy. Their plan is to use big
nets and ropes which will capture the seaweed. Another thing they will need is the water lands
that are not being used locations, and they came up with, using coastal zones with a water depth
of 500 to 3000 meters. (Seaweed Bioethanol Production in Japan The Ocean Sunrise Project,
Oceans 2007, Sept 29, 2007- Oct 4, 2007, Aizawa, M. ; Asaoka, k. ; Atsumi, M. ; Sakou, T.)
Due to water being the main source of the growth of seaweed, the process does take a
longer time. Japan situation to this roadblock is that they will plant large amounts of seaweed. In
which at the rate they grow, it will grow, 27kg per 1 ton of raw material using contained
components. (Seaweed Bioethanol Production in Japan The Ocean Sunrise Project, Oceans
2007, Sept 29, 2007- Oct 4, 2007, Aizawa, M. ; Asaoka, k. ; Atsumi, M. ; Sakou, T.) Japan hopes
to have produced more than five million seaweed, for in which will be used for fossil fuel by the
year 2030. They also will need to transport the seaweed across the country in order for them to
sell and make a profit. Also to be paid the labor that is being put in to it, and recover the money

they invested into the project. They will use water bags that will contain seaweed and transport
it, also the water bags will be used to store the seaweed meanwhile it is not being utilized.
To finalize the project, the results will be rewarding to the communities all around the
world. The outcome that is being hoped to be is that with the sufficient possibility for seaweed,
will produce large brown algae used as energy crop. (Seaweed Bioethanol Production in Japan
The Ocean Sunrise Project, Oceans 2007, Sept 29, 2007- Oct 4, 2007, Aizawa, M. ; Asaoka,
k. ; Atsumi, M. ; Sakou, T.) This project should also lead to new oil alternative that does not
compete with food supply can be expected. (Seaweed Bioethanol Production in Japan The
Ocean Sunrise Project, Oceans 2007, Sept 29, 2007- Oct 4, 2007, Aizawa, M. ; Asaoka, k. ;
Atsumi, M. ; Sakou, T.) I strongly agree that they can accomplish this project, but time and
resources are really needed for this research, Also they have to know if countries are going to be
willing to buy this resource.