<
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2022/02/us-biofuel-mandate-likely-increased-carbon-emissions-inflated-crop-prices-20-30/>
"For over a decade, the US has blended ethanol with gasoline in an attempt to
reduce the overall carbon pollution produced by fossil fuel-powered cars and
trucks. But a new study says that the practice may not be achieving its goals.
In fact, burning ethanol made from corn—the major source in the US—may be worse
for the climate than just burning gasoline alone.
Corn drove demand for land and fertilizer far higher than previous assessments
had estimated. Together, the additional land and fertilizer drove up ethanol’s
carbon footprint to the point where the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions—from
seed to tank—were higher than that of gasoline. Some researchers predicted this
might happen, but the new paper provides a comprehensive and retrospective look
at the real-world results of the policy.
Proponents have long argued that corn-based ethanol bolsters farm incomes while
providing a domestic source of renewable liquid fuel, while critics have said
that its status as a carbon-reducing gasoline additive relies on questionable
accounting. Based on the new study, both sides may be right."
Via Christoph S.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
