When most people look out on the hot, dry desert, they see the potential for a serious sunburn and probably a mirage or two. When Chilean entrepreneur Mario Llanis looks out on the cactus-riddled desert of his native country, he sees the possibility for a bio-energy source that could change the industry forever.

If you've got about 5 minutes, check out this video from Global Post about Llanis' dream for a world powered by the prickly-pear cactus. This idea could have significant implications for the global bio-energy industry, as the prickly-pear cactus is native of Mexico, United Sates and South America but it grows very well all around the world, including Australia Africa and in the Mediterranean.

Image Credit: Flickr - kretyen