At the risk of beating a dead horse, I would like to point out an article in Tuesday's New York Times about how ethanol plants are starting to be met with some resistance. Again, I do not want to always present the negative aspects of ethanol; I merely want to present the side that I do not think is represented as often as the other. As time goes on, people are coming down off of the "ethanol is our savior stage" and are realizing that we, as a nation, better think about the different alternative fuels and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Something to think about:
Do you think all of the talk about ethanol and other alternative fuels is just hype? Or is there real substance (and possibility) behind it?
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
My head is spinning
The Green Car Congress is a forum for alternative motive technology. Their self-stated goal is to "provide timely, high-quality editorial about the full spectrum of energy options, technologies, products, issues and policies related to sustainable mobility." Basically, it's a place to read and comment on a very broad spectrum of stories relating to "green" technology.
Generally, from the people I have talked to, and from the research that I have gathered, there are two main opinions on ethanol: 1) Ethanol is our savior and will be the thing to wean us, as a nation, off of fossil fuels OR 2) Ethanol is an absolutely horrible idea contrived without considering the detrimental environmental impacts that it is going to have. There is no middle ground. That all may seem a bit exaggerated, but you'd be surprised how true it is. Naturally, the people involved in promoting corn based ethanol are going to think it is wonderful; conversely, those who do not like it are not going to change their minds. It does begin to make one's head spin, after hearing this from so many different people.
The following are two posts from people with different viewpoints on ethanol. They are very representative, I think, of the trends in opinion that I have been seeing througout my research.
"I protest the inclusion of ethanol as a green product. It may not be pumped from below the ground, but it accelerates the spread of agricultural land at the cost of the natural world which is not experiences the extinction of species at a rapid pace. It raises the cost of corn which starves people already starving to death all over the world. And it perpetuates the illusion that we can continue to spread our footprint on the earth without consequence, without increasing global warming and backing us into a corner we cannot get out of. And lastly it is as polluting as gasoline or worse. Ethanol is greenwashing. It is a false hope. It is the antithesis of green. " --Paul Richards (posted 4/28/07)
"Whether u guys like it or not, Ethanol is the fastest spreading fuel and has the capability to challenge. It spreads in the form of E10, E25 and E85. Currently Corn & Cane is used, pretty soon the corn stalks and agro waste will be used and that will reduce the land usage. Give some time. Any fuel that comes from source other than Crude Oil is considered an alternative. High oil prices are big trouble for everyone." --Max Reid (posted 4/28/07)
I encourage you to read some more of the comments on the story, and to look over the rest of the site. It has A LOT of different stories regarding alternative motive technology and where things might be going in the next ten or 20 years.
Green Car Congress also has a blog. (The link here is to the ethanol section of the blog.) It contains all of the latest stories on ethanol from all over the country.
My head is still spinning a little bit. How about yours?
Generally, from the people I have talked to, and from the research that I have gathered, there are two main opinions on ethanol: 1) Ethanol is our savior and will be the thing to wean us, as a nation, off of fossil fuels OR 2) Ethanol is an absolutely horrible idea contrived without considering the detrimental environmental impacts that it is going to have. There is no middle ground. That all may seem a bit exaggerated, but you'd be surprised how true it is. Naturally, the people involved in promoting corn based ethanol are going to think it is wonderful; conversely, those who do not like it are not going to change their minds. It does begin to make one's head spin, after hearing this from so many different people.
The following are two posts from people with different viewpoints on ethanol. They are very representative, I think, of the trends in opinion that I have been seeing througout my research.
"I protest the inclusion of ethanol as a green product. It may not be pumped from below the ground, but it accelerates the spread of agricultural land at the cost of the natural world which is not experiences the extinction of species at a rapid pace. It raises the cost of corn which starves people already starving to death all over the world. And it perpetuates the illusion that we can continue to spread our footprint on the earth without consequence, without increasing global warming and backing us into a corner we cannot get out of. And lastly it is as polluting as gasoline or worse. Ethanol is greenwashing. It is a false hope. It is the antithesis of green. " --Paul Richards (posted 4/28/07)
"Whether u guys like it or not, Ethanol is the fastest spreading fuel and has the capability to challenge. It spreads in the form of E10, E25 and E85. Currently Corn & Cane is used, pretty soon the corn stalks and agro waste will be used and that will reduce the land usage. Give some time. Any fuel that comes from source other than Crude Oil is considered an alternative. High oil prices are big trouble for everyone." --Max Reid (posted 4/28/07)
I encourage you to read some more of the comments on the story, and to look over the rest of the site. It has A LOT of different stories regarding alternative motive technology and where things might be going in the next ten or 20 years.
Green Car Congress also has a blog. (The link here is to the ethanol section of the blog.) It contains all of the latest stories on ethanol from all over the country.
My head is still spinning a little bit. How about yours?
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