Is global warming a reason to OPPOSE ethanol?
O.K., global warming
isn't the main reason to oppose ethanol, however,
global warming is the main reason to oppose ethanol
as the solution to both foreign oil dependency and
global warming gases. How can we put all our eggs in
the alternative fuels basket when the same
scientists warning the world about global warming
also claim that today's global warming is going to
lead to extreme weather, such as mini-ice ages,
extreme droughts, massive hurricanes, flooding, etc,
etc.? All of these conditions could wipe out the
entire grain belt of the U.S. - our energy supply
(not to mention our food supply) - for a year, for a
decade, for a millennium.
While there is nothing wrong with pursuing alternative fuels, they cannot be pursued at the expense of efficiency.
Today, hybrid cars offer the greatest tool for efficiency. In addition, hybrids can utilize any alternative fuel developed. Most important, however, creating lighter vehicles with plug-in hybrid technology could easily increase fuel efficiency by more than 50%, even as much as 75% if carbon fibers, instead of steel, were used to build automobiles.
In the short term, alternative fuels are a distraction - an excuse - enabling automakers to continue to build more and more inefficient vehicles. 'Yes, it's a 12 mpg Hummer, but it uses flex-fuel' is neither the answer to energy dependence nor to global warming.
While there is nothing wrong with pursuing alternative fuels, they cannot be pursued at the expense of efficiency.
Today, hybrid cars offer the greatest tool for efficiency. In addition, hybrids can utilize any alternative fuel developed. Most important, however, creating lighter vehicles with plug-in hybrid technology could easily increase fuel efficiency by more than 50%, even as much as 75% if carbon fibers, instead of steel, were used to build automobiles.
In the short term, alternative fuels are a distraction - an excuse - enabling automakers to continue to build more and more inefficient vehicles. 'Yes, it's a 12 mpg Hummer, but it uses flex-fuel' is neither the answer to energy dependence nor to global warming.
