Josh Tickell
Encyclopedia
Josh Tickell is a professional speaker, author, filmmaker, and enthusiast on alternative fuels. His specific experience and focus is on biodiesel
, a diesel engine fuel based in vegetable oil and electric vehicle
s.
He is the author of From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank (ISBN 0-9707227-0-2, published by Greenteach), and Biodiesel America: How to Free America From Oil and Make Money with Alternative Fuel
(ISBN 978-0-9707227-4-4, published by Yorkshire Press). He is also the director of the documentary, Fuel
, in which he demonstrates ideas on ending the United States’ dependency on foreign oil and his opinions on the virtues of alternative fuels. He also produced the documentary Freedom http://www.thefreedomfilm.com, which discusses the fuel vs food ethanol debate.
, where members of his family suffered from pollution-related diseases. As a result, he began to look for alternatives to petroleum
in college, when he learned of biodiesel
while working on a farm in the former East Germany. Fascinated, Tickell started to conduct his own research. He translated documents written by the inventor of the diesel engine, Rudolf Diesel
, and found that the first diesel engine had been designed to run on vegetable oil, not petroleum.
van that he painted with sunflowers and called the “Veggie Van". He built a small biodiesel processor that he named “The Green Grease Machine” and then set off on a 25,000 mile, two-year tour of the USA powered by the biodiesel he made from used grease collected from fast food restaurants along the way. This journey, which eventually became known as The Veggie Van Voyage, attracted the attention of numerous media outlets, serving to promote the publicity of biodiesel as a viable alternative fuel.
. The book examines the status quo of the oil industry, the automakers and the government and offers an alternative energy roadmap to wean the US off fossil fuels.
to be part of his Global Initiative on Climate Change
. During the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
, the Organization mounted a biodiesel relief
aid effort in Louisiana and Mississippi. Tickell’s biodiesel-fueled relief ships delivered 20,000 meals, clothing and medical supplies to the hardest-hit areas of the disaster zone.
Based in Venice, California, Tickell continues to speak publicly to promote and educate on the subject of biodiesel. He has consulted for companies and organizations such as National Biodiesel Board
, Arizona State House of Representatives, Solar Energy International, Quicksilver and Clif Bar
. Tickell has spoken at numerous colleges and universities including MIT, Ohio University
, Bard College
, Vassar College
, Harper College
, Colorado College
and Rider University
and has presented in countries including Cuba
, Argentina
, Burma, and Australia
.
, was rolled out into 150 cities.
. After the publication of his first book, Tickell enrolled in Florida State University
’s School of Motion Picture Television and Recording Arts where he earned his MFA in film.
Biodiesel
Biodiesel refers to a vegetable oil- or animal fat-based diesel fuel consisting of long-chain alkyl esters. Biodiesel is typically made by chemically reacting lipids with an alcohol....
, a diesel engine fuel based in vegetable oil and electric vehicle
Electric vehicle
An electric vehicle , also referred to as an electric drive vehicle, uses one or more electric motors or traction motors for propulsion...
s.
He is the author of From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank (ISBN 0-9707227-0-2, published by Greenteach), and Biodiesel America: How to Free America From Oil and Make Money with Alternative Fuel
Biodiesel America: How to Free America From Oil and Make Money with Alternative Fuel
Biodiesel America: How to Free America From Oil and Make Money with Alternative Fuel is a book by Josh Tickell, an American author, filmmaker and enthusiast on alternative fuels. In the book, Josh discusses America's dependence on foreign oil and the consequences of doing so...
(ISBN 978-0-9707227-4-4, published by Yorkshire Press). He is also the director of the documentary, Fuel
Fuel (film)
Fuel is a 2008 documentary film directed by Josh Tickell. It won the audience award at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. The DVD was released on June 22, 2010.-Editing:...
, in which he demonstrates ideas on ending the United States’ dependency on foreign oil and his opinions on the virtues of alternative fuels. He also produced the documentary Freedom http://www.thefreedomfilm.com, which discusses the fuel vs food ethanol debate.
Early life
Tickell grew up in LouisianaLouisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, where members of his family suffered from pollution-related diseases. As a result, he began to look for alternatives to petroleum
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
in college, when he learned of biodiesel
Biodiesel
Biodiesel refers to a vegetable oil- or animal fat-based diesel fuel consisting of long-chain alkyl esters. Biodiesel is typically made by chemically reacting lipids with an alcohol....
while working on a farm in the former East Germany. Fascinated, Tickell started to conduct his own research. He translated documents written by the inventor of the diesel engine, Rudolf Diesel
Rudolf Diesel
Rudolf Christian Karl Diesel was a German inventor and mechanical engineer, famous for the invention of the diesel engine.-Early life:Diesel was born in Paris, France in 1858 the second of three children of Theodor and Elise Diesel. His parents were Bavarian immigrants living in Paris. Theodor...
, and found that the first diesel engine had been designed to run on vegetable oil, not petroleum.
The Veggie Van Voyage
Tickell returned to the USA, bought an old diesel-powered WinnebagoWinnebago Industries
Winnebago Industries Inc., , is a manufacturer of motor homes, a type of recreational vehicle or RV, in the United States. It is based in Forest City, Iowa.-Corporate history:...
van that he painted with sunflowers and called the “Veggie Van". He built a small biodiesel processor that he named “The Green Grease Machine” and then set off on a 25,000 mile, two-year tour of the USA powered by the biodiesel he made from used grease collected from fast food restaurants along the way. This journey, which eventually became known as The Veggie Van Voyage, attracted the attention of numerous media outlets, serving to promote the publicity of biodiesel as a viable alternative fuel.
Books
After the Veggie Van tour, Tickell wrote his first book, From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank – The Complete Guide to Using Vegetable Oil as an Alternative Fuel. His second book is titled Biodiesel America: How to Free America From Oil and Make Money with Alternative FuelBiodiesel America: How to Free America From Oil and Make Money with Alternative Fuel
Biodiesel America: How to Free America From Oil and Make Money with Alternative Fuel is a book by Josh Tickell, an American author, filmmaker and enthusiast on alternative fuels. In the book, Josh discusses America's dependence on foreign oil and the consequences of doing so...
. The book examines the status quo of the oil industry, the automakers and the government and offers an alternative energy roadmap to wean the US off fossil fuels.
Recent events
Tickell founded the Biodiesel America Organization. In 2005, it was selected by President Bill ClintonBill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
to be part of his Global Initiative on Climate Change
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
. During the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
, the Organization mounted a biodiesel relief
Relief
Relief is a sculptural technique. The term relief is from the Latin verb levo, to raise. To create a sculpture in relief is thus to give the impression that the sculpted material has been raised above the background plane...
aid effort in Louisiana and Mississippi. Tickell’s biodiesel-fueled relief ships delivered 20,000 meals, clothing and medical supplies to the hardest-hit areas of the disaster zone.
Based in Venice, California, Tickell continues to speak publicly to promote and educate on the subject of biodiesel. He has consulted for companies and organizations such as National Biodiesel Board
National Biodiesel Board
The National Biodiesel Board is a commercial trade association representing the biodiesel industry as the unifying and coordinating body for research and development in the United States. Its mission is to advance the interests of members by creating sustainable biodiesel industry growth. NBB...
, Arizona State House of Representatives, Solar Energy International, Quicksilver and Clif Bar
Clif Bar
Clif Bar & Company is an American company that produces organic foods and drinks marketed towards active people. Their flagship product, CLIF BAR, was created in 1992 by owner Gary Erickson. The company's headquarters are in Emeryville, California....
. Tickell has spoken at numerous colleges and universities including MIT, Ohio University
Ohio University
Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus...
, Bard College
Bard College
Bard College, founded in 1860 as "St. Stephen's College", is a small four-year liberal arts college located in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York.-Location:...
, Vassar College
Vassar College
Vassar College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college in the town of Poughkeepsie, New York, in the United States. The Vassar campus comprises over and more than 100 buildings, including four National Historic Landmarks, ranging in style from Collegiate Gothic to International,...
, Harper College
Harper College
William Rainey Harper College is a comprehensive community college in Palatine, Illinois, United States. The college was established by referendum in 1965 and opened in September 1967. It is named for Dr. William Rainey Harper, a pioneer in the junior college movement in the United States and the...
, Colorado College
Colorado College
The Colorado College is a private liberal arts college in Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States, in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. It was founded in 1874 by Thomas Nelson Haskell...
and Rider University
Rider University
Rider University is a private, coeducational and nonsectarian university located chiefly in Lawrenceville, in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States...
and has presented in countries including Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, Burma, and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Fuel
In September 2009, Tickell’s documentary on alternative clean energy, FuelFuel (film)
Fuel is a 2008 documentary film directed by Josh Tickell. It won the audience award at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. The DVD was released on June 22, 2010.-Editing:...
, was rolled out into 150 cities.
Education
Tickell holds an undergraduate degree in Sustainable Living from New College of FloridaNew College of Florida
New College of Florida is a public liberal arts college located in Sarasota, Florida. It was founded originally as a private institution and is now an autonomous honors college of the State University System of Florida.-History:...
. After the publication of his first book, Tickell enrolled in Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
’s School of Motion Picture Television and Recording Arts where he earned his MFA in film.