Fields of Fuel
“Josh Tickell is one of the nation’s leading experts in sustainable biofuels. Growing up near oil refineries in Louisiana, Tickell learned first hand that oil was ruining our planet. Studying the ill effects that his own hometown has endured, he realized something had to change. Tickell went abroad during college, and that is where he discovered biodiesel. When arriving back in the US his outlook shifted and his life would never be the same.
Tickell’s first book, From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank – The Complete Guide to Using Vegetable Oil as an Alternative Fuel, sparked a biodiesel revolution in the 1990’s and jump-started the American biodiesel industry.
This booming industry now produces over 850 million gallons per year and supplies biodegradable biodiesel to commercial fleets including the San Francisco Fire Department, the Navy and NASA.
In 1998, Tickell organized Green Mountain Energy’s “California Tour” and its Pennsylvania concert, which featured James Taylor, Sean Colvin and Kenny Loggins. Over 50,000 people attended the event, which was completely powered by biodiesel.
In 2003, Tickell began making a documentary film that he had been developing for several years entitled Fields of Fuel. The film features appearances by energy experts and cultural icons.
In 2006, as a precursor to his movie, Tickell released a second book titled Biodiesel America – How To Achieve Energy Security, Free America From Middle- East Oil Dependence and Make Money Growing Fuel. The book challenges the status quo of the oil industry, the automakers and the government, and offers a complete energy roadmap to wean the United States from fossil fuels.
At the time of the book’s release, Tickell founded the Biodiesel America Organization, selected by former President Bill Clinton to be part of his Global Initiative on Climate Change. Clinton’s support brought Tickell the resources he needed to mount a biodiesel relief effort to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina. His biodiesel-fueled “relief ships” delivered clothing, medical supplies and 20,000 meals to the hardest-hit areas of the disaster zone.
Tickell has consulted with numerous companies and organizations such as the National Biodiesel Board, the Arizona State House of Representatives, Solar Energy International, Quicksilver and Clif Bar. He has spoken at numerous colleges and universities including MIT, Ohio University, Bard College, Vassar College and Colorado College.
Today, Tickell uses his expert knowledge and powerful communication skills to educate policy makers and the public about biofuels, while offering solutions to rising gas prices, global climate change, pollution-related health issues and national energy security.
Tickell has been interviewed by over 200 major media outlets including The Today Show, Dateline NBC, CNN News, The National Geographic Channel, The Discovery Channel, National Public Radio, The Los Angeles Times, The Independent (UK), Smithsonian Magazine, The Science Channel, The Weather Channel, Maxim Magazine and Mother Earth News.”
