The Reality of Ethanol and Its Environmental Cost

In 2005, as "Feel Good Inc." dominated the airwaves and the Iraq war began, the US implemented the Renewable Fuel Standard. This legislation transitioned the nation to E10 gasoline, which consists of 10% ethanol from corn and 90% traditional gasoline. The rationale behind this shift was the belief that plant-based biofuels, like ethanol, would be more environmentally friendly. The idea was that plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, suggesting that burning ethanol would not contribute to increased atmospheric carbon levels. By incorporating bioethanol into fuel, the US aimed to lower emissions, reduce reliance on imported oil, and support corn farmers through heightened demand.

However, emerging research indicates that E10 may be more harmful to the environment than previously thought. A pivotal study led by Dr. Tyler Lark from the University of Wisconsin–Madison's Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment, partially funded by the National Wildlife Federation and the US Department of Energy, revealed that corn-derived bioethanol is at least 24% more carbon-intensive than conventional gasoline. This contradicts earlier findings, such as a 2019 USDA study, which claimed that the carbon intensity of corn-based ethanol was 39% lower than gasoline.

The significant difference in findings raises questions. Dr. Lark's research suggests that the USDA underestimated emissions related to land-use changes required for corn production, the processing of corn into ethanol, and the combustion of the fuel itself.

Between 2008 and 2016, the implementation of the US Renewable Fuel Standard led to the conversion of approximately 6.9 million acres into corn cultivation. A considerable amount of this land was previously protected or part of conservation efforts, meaning that the carbon stored in the soil was released back into the atmosphere as a result of this land conversion. This shift to increase corn production resulted in substantial greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the carbon footprint of machinery used in corn farming, along with the fertilizers and pesticides necessary for growth, contributes further to the environmental toll. The ethanol production process itself also emits carbon dioxide, as corn is ground, fermented, and converted into ethanol.

It is perhaps not surprising that a government agency focused on supporting farmers might overlook or downplay the adverse effects of corn-derived ethanol. The production of ethanol significantly increases the demand for corn, providing a boost to the agricultural sector.

So why is this information crucial?

According to the USDA, E10 is claimed to produce 4% lower emissions than traditional gasoline. However, Dr. Lark's findings suggest that E10 actually results in 2.4% greater emissions. While this may appear to be a minor difference, the US consumed an astonishing 135 billion gallons of E10 in 2022. This means that the actual carbon dioxide emissions from E10 usage may be 19 million tonnes higher than previously estimated!

This figure may be startling, but it aligns with the notion that biofuels are not a viable long-term solution for climate change. They represent an incomplete approach that ultimately fails to address the issue effectively. Instead, we should be focusing on fully developed technologies that can genuinely benefit the planet, such as renewable energy, nuclear power, battery-operated vehicles, and hydrogen-powered alternatives. To preserve our precious Earth, we must move beyond ineffective solutions like biofuels.

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(Originally published on PlanetEarthAndBeyond.co)

Sources: PNAS, Reuters, AFDC, EIA, EPA

Chapter 1: Ethanol and Its Environmental Implications

Recent studies reveal the environmental fallout of E10 fuel.

Section 1.1: Understanding the Carbon Footprint of E10

Research indicates that E10 may be more detrimental than gasoline.

"This surprising finding challenges long-held beliefs about biofuels."

Subsection 1.1.1: The Role of Land-Use Changes

Chapter 2: A Shift Toward Sustainable Solutions

In this video titled "The SHOCKING Truth About Ethanol In Gasoline - Only 1 in 100 People Know This," the discussion centers around the lesser-known realities of ethanol’s environmental implications.

The second video, "America Was Wrong About Ethanol - Study Shows," delves into the misconceptions surrounding ethanol fuel and its actual impact on emissions.