Ethanol And Its Dangers (some of them)

BBC science news has reported that associated with the move to ethanol there is an inherent danger to the environment.

Excerpts from the report.

"The grain required to fill the petrol tank of a Range Rover with ethanol is sufficient to feed one person per year. Assuming the petrol tank is refilled every two weeks, the amount of grain required would feed a hungry African village for a year"

"Food prices are already increasing. With just 10% of the world's sugar harvest being converted to ethanol, the price of sugar has doubled; the price of palm oil has increased 15% over the past year, with a further 25% gain expected next year."

The environment includes the place we live and those that live there.

Some of the dangers include:

1. Deforestation, followed by diminished air quality and accelerated climate change.

2. Increased scarcity and affordability of food. Grain and cattle that are fed the grain.

3. Increased extinction of whole species.

4. Impaired and diminished water resources.

5. Destruction of ecosystems that provide food such as fish as well as grain.

6. Air quality.

What stands out in my mind about all of this is the way this is being shoved down our throats. It has been in the works for quite a few years. Reported in 2003 the Australian PM was implicated in an ethanol related scandal. The industry is taking root all over the world and the attendant environmental and fiscal harm to average inhabitants of the planet is following in its wake. This kind of development does not occur without a lot of planning and forethought. We could be developing the means to destroy our way of life while trying to save it. This predicament clearly demonstrates the efficacy of government policies and belies the intent they have stated as a need for ethanol.