Comments on: Out of sight, out of belly http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/out-of-sight-out-of-belly/archives/109 Facts, opinions and reflections on being a techno-geek granolarancher Mom Thu, 17 May 2012 21:24:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Lisa http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/out-of-sight-out-of-belly/archives/109#comment-1044 Lisa Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:46:10 +0000 http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/out-of-sight-out-of-belly/archives/109#comment-1044 This is a tough subject, Suzanne. I think the media's portrayal of ethanol as the villain of our oil and food problems is overstated. This is another of those issues that is becoming he said/she said. There are conflicting reports from respected authorities regarding how greatly food and fuel prices have been impacted by the small amount of corn directed to ethanol. One fact that is frequently overlooked, is that the corn raised for ethanol is not the same corn you would buy in the grocery to roast on the grille. Corn for ethanol is often the type that is used for animal feed, so there is some merit in that it could affect food costs (the animals have to eat). But the issue isn't the fact that ethanol is an interim step in the path towards sustainable alternative biofuels (whether from switchgrass, cornstalks, sugar cane, etc.), it's that the country needs a real energy policy, and reduce our dependence on oil. My pet peeve on this issue is that auto makers haven't been required to increase the fuel efficiency for ALL autos, not just an average across the board. We are way past the point of believing that it's "too expensive" for them to do so...it's too expensive for our future NOT to. This is a tough subject, Suzanne. I think the media’s portrayal of ethanol as the villain of our oil and food problems is overstated. This is another of those issues that is becoming he said/she said. There are conflicting reports from respected authorities regarding how greatly food and fuel prices have been impacted by the small amount of corn directed to ethanol.

One fact that is frequently overlooked, is that the corn raised for ethanol is not the same corn you would buy in the grocery to roast on the grille. Corn for ethanol is often the type that is used for animal feed, so there is some merit in that it could affect food costs (the animals have to eat).

But the issue isn’t the fact that ethanol is an interim step in the path towards sustainable alternative biofuels (whether from switchgrass, cornstalks, sugar cane, etc.), it’s that the country needs a real energy policy, and reduce our dependence on oil. My pet peeve on this issue is that auto makers haven’t been required to increase the fuel efficiency for ALL autos, not just an average across the board. We are way past the point of believing that it’s “too expensive” for them to do so…it’s too expensive for our future NOT to.

]]>