| |
|
Article Directory :: Politics & Government Articles
Why is it that stupid ideas find so many followers? European Governments, the US Federal Government, and an increasing number of US State Governments have issued legislation that requires the use of ethanol in cars.
Making ethanol from corn was promoted by the US agricultural lobby as the best approach for producing biofuels. None of the decision makers listened to the advice of scientists, who pointed out correctly, that the benefits of ethanol were minute. Ethanol is incapable of reducing consumption of petroleum-derived fuels and of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Almost all of the food producing acreage in the US must be converted to growing corn before a sizeable reduction in foreign petroleum imports can be expected.
For the agricultural lobby the financial rewards of the ethanol craze have been spectacular. When future prices of corn began to escalate, more and more farmers decided to plant corn in favor of other crops like soybean and wheat. Predictably, food prices started soaring.
Now we must deal with the sorry political mess that the ethanol subsidy of the US Federal Government has left behind. Poor countries have been hit hard with escalating prices for grains and other basic food staples. Protests are growing across the globe demanding price reductions or price controls. Demonstrations are stoking social unrest in many countries. Demands are growing to prohibit the production of biofuels altogether.
What originally began as an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and an attempt to reduce consumption of fossil fuels and petroleum, may instead be perceived as a worldwide failure of renewable biofuels. Such result would be unfortunate and ultimately disastrous.
We know for sure that petroleum reserves are getting scarce and will be depleted soon. We know for sure that global warming is caused by greenhouse gases produced by fossil fuel combustion. We know for sure that economies will begin to fail, when liquid motor fuels become scarce and unaffordable.
We must replace fossil petroleum sources with an alternate source for liquid fuels or world economies are doomed to fail and contract. Only biomass meets the requirements for such a new energy source. However, virtually all the biomass crops, which are being used, have one common shortcoming. Instead of using plants with exceptionally high energy yields, we are converting low-energy food crops into ethanol, a low-energy fuel.
Only high-energy crops can become the savior of our huge transportation sector. The wellbeing of this sector is absolutely vital for the continuing functioning of world economies. Famines will result if we convert instead low-energy food crops into liquid fuels. There are not enough arable lands on this Earth to provide food for an additional three billion people during the next fifty years and grow simultaneously sufficient amounts of low-energy biomass for replacing petroleum as source for liquid motor fuels.
Substitution of petroleum with motor fuels derived from coal or oil shale is not sensible, either. These synthetic fuels will increase greenhouse gas emissions and will accelerate global warming. Therefore, there remains only one single choice for securing the supply of affordable transportation fuels; we must learn to convert high-energy biomass into standard motor fuels.
This will involve the development of new approaches and new technologies for finding, breeding, and growing high-energy crops on fallow and arid lands. We must protect tropical and primal forests and we must assure that arable lands are sustained properly. Arable lands will become scarce and must be protected from exploitation.
The world has huge areas of deserts and arid lands with exceptionally high solar irradiation. We must learn to grow biomass with high-energy yields on these ignored and neglected lands. We must develop new irrigation and cultivating technologies for arid areas and we must learn how to achieve high-energy biomass harvests without excessive water use and without the wasteful and expensive fertilizer runoff.
High-energy plants need plenty of sunshine. We must breed new high-energy plant hybrids and we must develop new agricultural techniques that are effective under these adverse conditions. We must prevent exploitation of forests across the world and we must find ways to protect and preserve tropical and primal forests.
It is mandatory that we bring the recent inflationary wave of food prices under control soon. It is important that we prevent any speculative manipulation of grain prices and that we avoid any irrational reactions to this artificial food crisis.
Above all, we must not blame the concept of renewable biofuels for the artificially created food crisis. Liquid fuels from biomass are our only hope for simultaneously controlling global overheating and preventing hyperinflation of liquid fuel prices.
If we fail to succeed in this crucial and fateful endeavor, we must prepare the world for the collapse of world economies and the disappearance of civilizations.
Dr. Hemsath recently published the book CLIMATE CHANGE - GOLD RUSH OR DISASTER? For 50 years he has worked as scientist, process engineer, Director of R&D, Corporate Vice President of R&D, Company President, Chief Executive Officer, and Inventor. He holds more than 60 US Patents. Visit his site at http://www.thermalexpert.com
He is now working on a second book, THE SOLUTION TO GLOBAL WARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE.
 EasyPublish™ this article - publishers click here
More articles by Klaus H Hemsath
|
Free Report!
Ten Essential Secrets Of Article Marketing ... Grab Your Free
Copy Now:
Need Content?
Regular Top Quality Content for your Blog, Ezine or Website ...
Delivered Direct,
For Free!
Click For Details
Arts & Entertainment
Automotive
Business - General
Computers & Technology
Finance & Investment
Food & Drink
Health & Fitness
Home & Family
Internet Marketing/Online Business
Legal
Pets & Animals
Politics & Government
Reference & Education
Religion & Faith
Self-Improvement/Motivation
Social
Sports & Recreation
Travel & Leisure
Writing & Speaking
|
More political articles: - The Fall Of Madero (Robert Nickel)
In November 1911, after working to incite the Mexican Revolution and oust the corrupt president Porfirio Diaz, the leader of the revolt, Francisco Madero, was made President of Mexico. Unfortunately, despite having done so much to create sudden change, the man was, at heart, a moderate. Thrust into a role that required much more political expertise than he had, he was doomed to fail. - Francisco Madero's Path to Revolution (Robert Nickel)
In 1911, after thirty-five years of dictatorial rule by president Porfirio Diaz, the Mexican people had had enough. Angry, fed up and bitter at the administration's corruption, they were incited to rise up and revolt after that year's election, when popular newcomer Francisco Madero "lost" the presidential race in a stunningly obvious case of electoral fraud. This was the beginning of the Mexican Revolution... - Gift Giving: The Pet Lover (Claire Dimmit)
If you are being frustrated by trying to find the perfect gift for the animal lover in your life, you should not give up. Here are a few ideas that can spur your imagination enabling you to find the perfect gift. - The Battle Of Puebla And Cinco De Mayo (Robert Nickel)
Why does the United States celebrate every May 5, or Cinco de Mayo? It's only a regional holiday in Mexico, and is often mistaken to be the commemoration of their Independence Day (which is actually in September). The roots of these festivities go back to the French invasion in 1862, and a decisive initial victory against Napoleon III's forces. - Agustin I: The First Mexican Emperor (Robert Nickel)
The First Emperor of Mexico's regime was the first attempt at a Spain-free governing structure, and it failed fairly quickly. His reign had lasted roughly ten months before collapsing, and while it didn't accomplish a great deal in terms of infrastructure, it marked the true start of the divide between the centrist conservative and the democratic liberal political parties. - The Incredible Work of Benito Juarez (Robert Nickel)
A great deal of Mexico's liberal reforms in the 19th century - the separation of church and state, the proclamation of all citizens as equal in the eyes of the law and the establishment of a market-driven social system, among other things, would not have been possible without the leadership of Benito Juarez. Once an illiterate shepherd, this Zapotec native rose to become a lawyer and eventually ended up involved in some of the most important... - How Maximilian I Became Emperor Of Mexico (Robert Nickel)
It might not be a commonly known fact, but Mexico was, at two separate points, a monarchy; each reign lasted less than five years and was filled with revolts, infighting, and puppet rulers. The first Mexican Empire took place shortly after the country won its independence from Spain in 1821, but collapsed less than eight months after its establishment. The second attempt was the result of Napoleon III's invasion in 1862... - All About the Reform Wars (Robert Nickel)
In the years following Mexico's War of Independence, a question arose among the newly freed citizens as to how the newly free nation should be governed. Two ideologies emerged: the liberals wished to establish a democratic, secular government with a constitution similar to that of the United States of America... - Who Was Empress Carlota? (Robert Nickel)
For a very brief period of time in Mexico's long and turbulent history, they were ruled by Emperor Maximilian I and his consort, Empress Carlota. This regime was doomed to end in a bloody manner almost from the start, as they had been crowned after an invasion by France and were stuck in between an unfairly deposed liberal party and the conservative conspirators who disliked their practices.
We Automatically Distribute Articles
To Thousands Of Publishers And Web Sites:
Submit Article
All content is viewed and used by you at your own risk and we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of any of the information. The views expressed are those of the individual contributing authors and not necessarily those of this web site, or its owner, Takanomi Limited.
|
|
