As global warming and energy issues become more prominent, new energy alternatives to oil seem to bring hope to the world. On March 8, U.S. President Bush and Brazilian President Lula met in São Paulo, Brazil, to discuss such important agendas as bioenergy. As the world's two largest ethanol producers, whether the US-Pakistan Summit can establish the ethanol market and the "Ethanol OPEC" alliance has become the focus of attention.
However, scientists, economists, and environmentalists are concerned about the other side of the issue. The British “The Independent†published an article a few days ago questioning: Can ethanol actually stir up the green beam?
In order to reduce US dependence on Middle East oil, US President Bush stated in his State of the Union address in January that the US government will encourage the development of biofuels and plans to increase biofuel production by five times current production by 2017.
Ethanol is one of the important biofuels in the Bush plan. Ethanol can be obtained through fermentation of ordinary crops such as corn, barley, wheat, sugar cane and sugar beets. It is inexpensive and is a renewable energy source.
With the use of sugarcane, the main crop in the country, Brazil has become the world’s second largest ethanol producer and largest exporter. The British "Israel" said a few days ago that 40% of Brazil's gasoline consumption has now been replaced by ethanol. The U.S. uses corn to produce ethanol fuel and is not far behind.
However, for ethanol, which has a mission to slow global warming, it actually has a "black" side. Environmentalists are concerned that if the world’s demand for ethanol soars, the warming trend may continue to increase.
To obtain ethanol, producers must obtain agricultural land and plant large-scale crops for ethanol production. When agricultural land is difficult to obtain, the drive of profits may inflict violations of the Amazon rainforest, Atlantic rainforest, and many precious grasslands and forest lands. The trees on these lands absorb large amounts of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide each year. Sacrifice them for ethanol. On the surface, they reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, they are not worth the candle.
In addition, the green role of ethanol is also diluted by many factors.
"The Independent" said that a research report showed that the energy consumption of corn production is 30% higher than the energy it can provide.
On the other hand, once the world puts energy production on crops, the most basic definition of crops will be challenged, and the poverty of poor people will also be challenged. Experts from the United States said: “The world’s 800 million motorized owners and 2 billion poor people will compete for food on a large scale. Motorized owners want to get the car moving, and the poor just want to eat rice and survive.†Mexico's corn tortilla prices Has risen. Some experts said: "We must stop and take a breath and seriously consider the consequences."
However, scientists, economists, and environmentalists are concerned about the other side of the issue. The British “The Independent†published an article a few days ago questioning: Can ethanol actually stir up the green beam?
In order to reduce US dependence on Middle East oil, US President Bush stated in his State of the Union address in January that the US government will encourage the development of biofuels and plans to increase biofuel production by five times current production by 2017.
Ethanol is one of the important biofuels in the Bush plan. Ethanol can be obtained through fermentation of ordinary crops such as corn, barley, wheat, sugar cane and sugar beets. It is inexpensive and is a renewable energy source.
With the use of sugarcane, the main crop in the country, Brazil has become the world’s second largest ethanol producer and largest exporter. The British "Israel" said a few days ago that 40% of Brazil's gasoline consumption has now been replaced by ethanol. The U.S. uses corn to produce ethanol fuel and is not far behind.
However, for ethanol, which has a mission to slow global warming, it actually has a "black" side. Environmentalists are concerned that if the world’s demand for ethanol soars, the warming trend may continue to increase.
To obtain ethanol, producers must obtain agricultural land and plant large-scale crops for ethanol production. When agricultural land is difficult to obtain, the drive of profits may inflict violations of the Amazon rainforest, Atlantic rainforest, and many precious grasslands and forest lands. The trees on these lands absorb large amounts of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide each year. Sacrifice them for ethanol. On the surface, they reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, they are not worth the candle.
In addition, the green role of ethanol is also diluted by many factors.
"The Independent" said that a research report showed that the energy consumption of corn production is 30% higher than the energy it can provide.
On the other hand, once the world puts energy production on crops, the most basic definition of crops will be challenged, and the poverty of poor people will also be challenged. Experts from the United States said: “The world’s 800 million motorized owners and 2 billion poor people will compete for food on a large scale. Motorized owners want to get the car moving, and the poor just want to eat rice and survive.†Mexico's corn tortilla prices Has risen. Some experts said: "We must stop and take a breath and seriously consider the consequences."