Ethanol not best Alternative Energy Choice – Yes
At first glance, ethanol seems like a great idea. Keep the money here in the good 'ole USA instead of shipping it overseas for expensive oil. Create less pollution for the environment. Help out struggling farmers. It's a win-win deal, right?
Not so fast.
There is not enough corn grown in all of North America to meet the energy needs of New York State, much less the nation. So at best ethanol is a help to farmers, but there are so many better options that do not require the great investment in infrastructure ethanol does.
Electric cars are slated to hit the roads in significant numbers in the next one to two years; this is a far better solution. Keeping the energy production (electricity) centralized means the pollution can be dealt with in fewer locations. It means less ozone production in cities.
There are plenty of hungry people in the world that America can sell its corn to, and keep our farmers in business. Nigeria might be a good example. We simply tell them if they want us to buy their oil then they will purchase food from us at a fair market price. If they pass, which would be their privilege, then we'd refuse to buy their oil.
The problem with world hunger is twofold: hypocrisy and distribution. Lots of good hearted people claim to help world hunger but only when the cameras are rolling. They're either nave, giving most of their money to corrupt organizations, or they use the disadvantaged to further their public image which is shameful.
The larger problem than a few two-faced celebrities is one of A to B. We have more food than we can eat in America, but how to distribute it, and who will pay for it? How can we get it to the people that need it?
Wicked governments such as the one in Myanmar have brazenly and cruelly refused aid in the past. So it's a tough row to hoe with some of these outlaw nations. A consistent policy is needed with no exceptions.
Then there is the food and feed issue. Converting more corn into fuel means less with which to feed cows and pigs (or people for that matter), which drives up prices in the US for consumers.
There has to be a better way, and there is. Research on use of non -foodstuff ethanol from switch grass, wood cellulose, etc .must be pressed forward. We need to re-examine all alternative energy sources such as nuclear and solar as well, but let's keep the corn for food and not for a tiger in your tank.
