Questions Arising about Ethanol as an Energy Alternative
New questions are being asked about switching from oil as a source of energy to the grain needed to create ethanol. Two top publications are raising doubts about whether ethanol is really beneficial to the environment or if it will contribute further to global warming.
These findings will have a huge impact on the United States and the new policies that are being put into effect concerning ethanol production. This is sure to create much controversy and before anyone takes sides, more studies need to be done. In the past two years, the United States has pumped up the production of grain needed to produce ethanol and construction has already begun to change the face of the corn belt region for facilities to produce ethanol.
Ethanol production has affected many areas of the U.S. economy, most notably in the price of food not just here, but abroad as well. Grains that were once used to feed cattle is being redirected into ethanol production. This causes a ripple effect at the grocery store where the price for dairy and beef products have skyrocketed.
We have also diverted much of the corn we exported to other countries to the production of ethanol. This is causing changes in the economy for those countries that relied on the United States corn to feed their masses.
In order for support for ethanol to continue, it needs the backing of the public. The public will be wholeheartedly behind this switch if it can eliminate much of our dependence on foreign oil, have a positive impact on reducing the emission of greenhouse gases and boost agriculture once again.
Before the United States jumps feet first into relying on ethanol as an energy alternative, the public needs to educate themselves on the negative aspects as well as the positive ones. We have long let politicians make our decisions for us without being informed of issues and it is high time we educated ourselves on this very important matter not only to America, but the rest of the world as well.
