It is estimated that an average of 135 pounds of nitrogen (a potent-greenhouse-gas) per acre is used in growing corn in most U.S. farms. Besides, research by the U.S. Department for Agriculture (USDA) shows that tilled soil releases carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere in proportion to the volume of soil loosened (Kenny).
Most of all, it is erroneous to assume that ethanol is likely to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil. It has been estimated that the current ethanol production in the United States that has triggered such massive increase in grain and food prices around the world barely satisfies less than 3% of U.S. gasoline needs; and if the entire U.S. grain harvest were converted into ethanol, it would satisfy scarcely 18% of the country's automotive fuel need (Brown.). Furthermore, even if the highly ambitious target of producing 36 billion gallons envisaged by the Renewable Fuels Standard (RSA) law signed into law by President Bush in 2007 is achieved by 2022, it would scarcely replace a paltry 1.5 million barrels of oil per day, which is just seven percent of current U.S. oil needs. It is, therefore, pertinent to ask whether the effort to produce ethanol from corn is at all worthwhile? It certainly does not seem so when we consider the World Bank's estimate that "the grain required to fill the tank of a sport utility vehicle (SUV) with ethanol...could feed one person for a year." ("World Development Report" 71)
Conclusion
As we saw in this essay, bio-ethanol, especially the type produced from corn in the United States, is not such a good idea as was assumed just a few years ago. The several fold increase in its production over the last two years has triggered an unprecedented hike in global food prices that threatens the poorest sections of the third world with the clear and present danger of hunger. The indirect effects of converting corn into ethanol have also eroded the apparent environment friendliness of such fuel. In short, producing corn-based ethanol is simply not worth the human suffering and environmental damage it can cause.
Works Cited
Brown, Lester R. "Why Ethanol Production Will Drive World Food Prices Even Higher in 2008." Earth Policy Institute. January 24, 2008. May 30, 2008. http://www.earth-policy.org/Updates/2008/Update69.htm
Carter, Colin a. And Henry I. Miller. "Hidden Costs of Corn-Based Ethanol." Christian Science Monitor. May 21, 2007. May 30, 2008. http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0521/p09s02-coop.html
Corn...Fuel...Fire!" Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. December 17, 2007....
Fossil Fuels & Their Impact on the Environment Impact of Fossil Fuels on Environment Fossil fuels are formed by anaerobic decomposition of organisms over a period of millions of years. When burnt, they produce significant amounts of energy per unit weight and cannot be reused to supply energy. They are thus nonrenewable resources. The applications of fossil fuels range from use in motor vehicles, trains and industries to household consumption in stoves
By studying this history, one can quickly understand fossil fuels are in such short supply. Although they have been around for millions of years, they have been in use for thousands. Fossil Fuels' Uses While it is common knowledge that fossil fuels are used as energy sources and in a variety of material productions, the degree to which fossil fuels are used on a daily basis is monumental. Both oil and
Ending The Nation's Dependence on Fossil Fuels There are many options available for reducing the nation's dependence on fossil fuels. From the use of biofuel subsidies to foster research & development (R&D) of new fuel forms and technologies to use them (Ngo, 2008) to more effective energy policies that use natural gas, the U.S.' greatest natural resource (Bang, 2010), options abound. What is needed is a concerted, focused energy policy that
The currently used batteries in electric cars are usually the lead-acid type, which are heavy and bulky. A lead-acid battery pack in a typical electric car weighs about 1000 pounds or more; it also occupies a large space as about 50 batteries each of size 6" x 8" x 6" are required for a single car (Brain, 2006). They are also expensive as a typical lead-acid battery pack for
These continued high fossil fuel prices has made development and production of alternative fuels, like biofuels, a cost-effective alternative. Another economic factor that has resulted in biofuel being a popular choice of alternative fuels, is the infrastructure it utilizes. Unlike other possible alternative fuels, like hydrogen, biofuel can, for the most part, use the existing distribution and retailing infrastructure already in place for traditional petroleum fuels (Mol, 2007). it's not
Fossil fuels comprise coal, natural gas, and oil, which are formed over time from the remains of living organisms. Most of the world’s energy needs are supplied from fossil fuels but fossil fuels come at a price. Fossil fuels are the main source of global warming emissions in the world. Shindell and Smith (2019) posits "The combustion of fossil fuels produces emissions of the long-lived greenhouse gas carbon dioxide and
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now