SAO PAULO, June 8, 2011 – Global energy needs are expected to double in the next three decades, pushing carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming higher by as much as 90%. These alarming figures press global leaders to search for low-carbon, renewable options to supply energy. With that in mind, the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) today launched a new global website – sugarcane.org – to spread the word about clean solutions from sugarcane.

The new website was launched during the Opening Ceremony of the 2011 edition of the Ethanol Summit, one of the world’s top events dedicated to renewable energies, with a special focus on ethanol and other sugarcane by-products. The event continues until Tuesday, June 7, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

sugarcane.org is intended to explain how sugarcane can contribute to solve or reduce the impact of many of the pressing challenges the world is facing. “We decided to launch this new site to share knowledge and information with a growing global community of people who want to know how their food and energy choices affect our environment and people worldwide,” said UNICA’s President and CEO, Marcos Jank.

Over the last 30 years, the sugarcane industry underwent major and continuous technological improvement. Today, sugarcane is the basic input for a diverse and growing range of value-added products, including sugar, ethanol, bioelectricity, bioplastics, bio-hydrocarbons, among others being developed. “Sugarcane by-products are efficient and sustainable solutions that can replace gasoline, diesel, plastics and beyond that. Just imagine. Solutions from sugarcane,” added Jank.

Sugarcane products can lower CO2 emissions, create jobs, reduce petroleum use, and create a healthier, cleaner planet. For more information, visit www.sugarcane.org.

To watch the live webcast of all panels and debates at the 2011 Ethanol Summit, visit www.ethanolsummit.com.br and click on “Webcast” to select a room. Sessions are being aired since 9 am, Sao Paulo time.