So, i once learned from an episode of West Wing that ethanol uses more fossil fuels to make than it would to just use gas in our cars. Still, I thought that there had to be something to biodiesel and have fantasized for the past year about buying a 4runner and converting it to biodiesel. I really, really want an old body style 4runner, but I simply can't justify it. However, if I could make it run clean, wouldn't that be nifty?
Then I run across this article from Cornell University stating scientifically what Hollywood already told me -- bio fuels aren't efficient.
from the July 2005 study:
In terms of energy output compared with energy input for ethanol production, the study found that:
* corn requires 29 percent more fossil energy than the fuel produced;
* switch grass requires 45 percent more fossil energy than the fuel produced; and
* wood biomass requires 57 percent more fossil energy than the fuel produced.
In terms of energy output compared with the energy input for biodiesel production, the study found that:
* soybean plants requires 27 percent more fossil energy than the fuel produced, and
* sunflower plants requires 118 percent more fossil energy than the fuel produced.
So where do we go now? Electric cars? Hybrids?
Ideally, I would like to bike, walk, or take public transportation to work. However, I can't afford to live near my work for walking or biking, and Seattle's mass transit outside of main areas in the city are for shit. It would take me two hours each way to cover the distance it takes me 20 minutes to drive. Apparently, that is where my willingness to sacrifice for the Earth ends.
Also, what do we do about all the land being used for corn that is subsidized by the US government? Being from Ohio, I know the importance of farming, especially corn farming. However, we could be producing so many other things, couldn't we? Am I dreaming to think that we could dismantle the corporate farms and go back to the way things were, when small farmers could actually make a living? I need to read more on this.
For now, I guess I need to make little changes like walking to the store more often and unplugging stuff in my house when I'm not using said stuff.
Wanna join me? What are you doing to cut down on your use of fossil fuels?
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3 comments:
Hi, Elizabeth,
Hardly anything beats solar power and wind power is exciting too.
I like energy sources that are above ground, unending and natural.
All we need to make the above two available at reasonable cost worldwide is the will to fund the research.
It may cut down on the profits of the powers that be that supply oil, coal and other more traditional energy sources but the future of our world is at stake.
Can profits to those who've been rolling in it for so long take a back seat or can those industry leaders lead and implement solar and wind power technology?
Thoughtful post. Thanks.
Angela.
http://www.angelachenshui.com/
Dude, we watched that episode of West Wing LAST NIGHT. For real.
I am with you in your endeavor...I try to walk to do errands and stuff whenever I can (to the library and produce mart just last night), and I would love to take the bus to work if the six-mile trip didn't involve taking three buses, one of which is going to be cut on Monday if the Illinois legislature doesn't get its ass in gear and pass funding for public transportation. I went to a fab green congregations training with David Rhoads a few weeks ago that lit a bit of a fire about all of the things I/we could be doing, and I managed to get myself on my congregation's "green team", which I think will help keep this stuff in the forefront of my mind.
(Clean) Power to the people! :-)
How do plants require fossil energy, exactly? Do they eat coal when we're not looking?
An idea is that governments should help subsidize alternative fuels, like solar and wind, to produce electricity. Rather than subsidizing the oil industry. Use their financial power to support and encourage other forms besides fossil fuels.
Oh, but none of their buddies work in solar yet. . . doh.
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