February 16, 2007

The Math of Ethanol


Why are we making ethanol for cars - from grain?

The amount of grain needed to fill one SUV tank with ethanol, will feed one person for one year.

And who said that humans are a curious race - we'll do the right thing once we've exhausted all other possibilities?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think the quote is Churchill's about Americans.

I don't drive an SUV although I do drive a battered little Toyota Corolla and while its fuel consumption is more modest, it too depends on fuel. Certainly the idea of renewable fuel sources is more appealing than fossil fuels.

Your point is a good one though. It can also be made about the livestock we feed on corn.

Nicola Pulling said...

Also there are other crops to make ethanol from...

and I DEFINITELY agree with you about grain fed animals.