Big Think

Jonas Forsberg on January 15, 2008, 5:49 AM

There is no reason what so ever to produce propellants from food. It might be possible to use agricultural land to produce ethanol today, but not tomorrow. We have to find a solution that will work in the long run. In my opinion, hydrogen is the way to go. With a small wind/solar powered hydrogen plant, it would be possible for everyone to produce their own propellant, without harming the environment. More importantly, producing hydrogen does not require farmland.

abu nayeem on January 17, 2008, 2:23 PM

First, ethanol production is inefficient; it requires more energy (true for corn and non-native sugar cane) to grow than it provides. (gasoline needed for tractors and production of fertilizers). Only productive in places such as Brazil where climate is favorable.
Second, it cannot produce enough fuel for America alone given the amount of arable land appropiated for ethanol production. Third, ethanol production allows oil companies to continues its large profits by not solving the issue but create an image that they are trying. (A brilliant scheme). A long-run solution for the problem would be electric cars. Once a pollution free source of energy is utilized (hydro, solar, wind, electric cars would be completely clean. bTW oil companies do not care if children are getting killed (war) or people starving, its about the record profits

Jon Hackbarth on January 17, 2008, 4:20 PM

As being a resident of the state of Iowa I am experiencing first hand the “new” investments into ethanol fuel. This market for our local farmers has definitely helped them increase profits, while I am unaware of the origin of Donald’s stats, I would have to say that ethanol production has been a positive effect on this small portion of the U.S. and has not diverted food from hungry mouths. However I agree that, Electric cars, hydrogen fuel, and more investment into wind and solar power is necessary for the future but those times are decades away. The E85 fuel, which is rarely seen even around here, is our best chance today to take a right step toward a greener world. I would like to see more flex fuel cars along with E85 pumps. The resources are here, we just need to access them.

Christopher Stubbs on January 21, 2008, 6:20 AM

Hydrogen is great but the technology is not there yet so that is a null point. Saying that the United States has no climate zones capable of replicating those in which Brazil grows sugar cane is also not true. It is true that if we consider corn or sugar-cane based ethanol production, the land-mass of the united states would face difficulty in providing enough fuel to run the country based on our current consumption, we must switch to more fuel efficient vehicles! The E85 cars out there are NOT efficient even if the fuel were available
Another point; the united states has been undercutting food costs in other countries to a degree that it is no longer cost effective to grow potatoes in the continent they are from! Exporting less food has the positive effect that it increases viability for farmers in other countries who previously could not turn a profit. And my final point for consideration; the cost of the war in Iraq would have paid for enough solar panels for every home in the US to power itself, tack on another ohh, 30% and they could power 1-2 electric cars every day for a ~40mi commute… oh well