Ethanol Nat Geo, Research Paper Example

Global warming and the impact of CO2 emissions is a major concern for society and there are many who believe the use of ethanol can reduce CO2 emissions and improve the environment. The following will take a look at the state of the environment as a result of CO2 emissions through the eyes of McKibben’s (2007) in his article “Carbon’s New Math” and then review Bourne and Clar’s (2007) look at this concept in their National Geographic article “Green dreams” as they breakdown whether ethanol is the potential solution.

In McKibben’s (2007), article “Carbon’s new math,” breaks down the numerical facts associated with carbon dioxide and its use and impact on the environment. The author opens by stating, “here’s how it works. Before the industrial revolution, the Earth’s atmosphere contained about 280 parts per million of carbon dioxide. That was a good amount—”good” defined as “what we were used to” (McKibben, 2007). He goes on to point out that, due to the fact that the molecular structure of carbon dioxide encapsulates heat near the planet’s surface, specifically energy that in other cases would return back to outer space, society as developed based on this particular temperature, which is roughly 57 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature required for survival sets the basis on which all civilization is grounded. It influences where buildings are erupted, and where crops are grown to feed the population. McKibbens further notes that this temperature is even the grounds for which human beings set their own psychological calendar as they respond and function based on the passing of the seasons. He emphasises this point to make a connection between that original core temperature necessary for civilization to function and the current trend that is happening now with global warming. He states that, “once we started burning coal and gas and oil to power our lives, that 280 number started to rise. When we began measuring in the late 1950s, it had already reached the 315 level. Now it’s at 380, and increasing by roughly two parts per million annually” (McKibben, 2007). While the number may appeared to be a small shift but McKibben (2007) notes that CO2 is exceptionally effective at trapping heat across the Earth’s surface, which has resulted in an overall increase of a little over 1 degree Fahrenheit. Even the thought of just 1 degree increase seems minor until one takes into account all of the physical impacts it has had on the Earth. McKibben clarifies these physical impacts by adding some perspective noting that “the warming we’ve seen so far has started almost everything frozen on Earth to melting; it has changed seasons and rainfall patterns; it’s set the sea to rising. No matter what we do now, that warming will increase some—there’s a lag time before the heat fully plays out in the atmosphere” (McKibben, 2007). The main argument he makes is that global warming can’t be stopped but must be contained. he argues that all of the damage that has been done to the Earth is done and there is no turning back now. Society can only hope to keep global warming from getting out of hand. The problem is that, only until recently, has there been data to confirm global warming is even occuring. Now McKibben reveals scientist predict based on new information that in the near future civilization will see the “melting of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets and a subsequent rise in sea level of giant proportion” (McKibben, 2007). One heavily promoted alternative that is being touted as the solution to environmental concerns regarding issues with CO2 is the use of ethanol as a fuel alternative. Bourne and Clar’s (2007) take an in-depth look at this concept in their National Geographic article “Green dreams.”

In Bourne and Clar’s (2007) article “Green dreams,” the authors talk about initiatives to promote ethanol as an alternative fuel and the politics and science behind its efficacy as valid replacement. They cite the victory of Dario Franchitti winning the Indianapolis 500 as one of the staple examples all proponents of ethanol point to as credibility for their position as he won the race entirely on ethanol. The authors note that ethanol “proponents say such renewable fuels could light a fire under our moribund rural economy, help extract us from our sticky dependence on the Middle East, and—best of all—cut our ballooning emissions of carbon dioxide” (Bourne and Clar 2007). The authors interview Gary Rasmussen, an owner of a harvester dealership. He points out that his recent increase in sales of ethanol plant harvesters implies that corn is going to be a major cash crop in the future. He states that he sold corn harvesters for “$200,000 each from December through February, twice as many as usual, and his tractor sales are up as well. A computer screen showing the latest corn prices is on prominent display on the sales floor” (Bourne and Clar 2007). The authors cite a statement made by Rasmussen where he argues that the rise in commodity prices is the sign of a a promising future for the economy and ethanol as a whole, but that there are still challenges. One clear challenge in the way of ethanol adoption in the United States is the fact that roughly 1,200 stations across the United States sell ethanol, and they do so as a mixture of both ethanol and gas. Ehtanol can also only be burned in uniquely designed engines and the fuel produces 30% less miles per gallon than traditional fuel. Despite this setback the authors do note it’s a positive that ethanol can be sold for around 40 cents less per gallon. The most challenging issue for ethanol promoters is the fact that it’s not the great alternative to CO2 emissions that everyone claims. The authors note that, “the process also gives off large amounts of carbon dioxide, and that’s where ethanol’s green label starts to brown. Most ethanol plants burn natural gas or, increasingly, coal to create the steam that drives the distillation, adding fossil- fuel emissions to the carbon dioxide emitted by the yeast” (Bourne and Clar 2007). Another negative factor the authors point out is that ethanol nearly requires more energy to produce than the actual energy it can provide, stating that a nitrogen fertilizer must be used to grow it and diesel farm machinery must also be used. Never the less scientist are working to find more efficient ways to produce and use ethanol in the future that could still sustain it as the direct competitor to traditional fuels. The real issue is the cost at the pump. The authors make the claim that for ethanol to be adopted it will have to be able to compete economically with gasoline. That means the price of gasoline as to drop to about $45 a barrel or the price of corn has ot increase. They suggest the most effective way to accomplish the needed rise would be to tacx carbon emissions. Regardless, they note that such a drastic change is a hard sell for the American people.

In sum, I believe both articles provide sound arguments for the current state of affairs concerning the environment. Much of the information they provide is consistent with current arguments on the topic of ethanol such as those cited in Bain and Clark (2013), which notes that the environmental risks of ethanol are currently going through a framing and reframing process where the research related to the issue is always subject to the bias of potential ecoomic backers and the benefits they may potentially gain from ethanol adoption in the United States. Souza and Seabra (2013) also support many of the arguments notes by ourne and Clark, specifically in regards to new strides being made to develop ethanol as a more efficient product for the energy market. The truth is only time will tell whether or not ethanol adoption can be a reality or bust for the United States, and world as a whole.

References

Bourne, J. K., & Clark, R. (2007). Green dreams. National Geographic, 212(4), 38-59.

Bain, C., & Selfa, T. (2013). Framing and reframing the environmental risks and economic benefits of ethanol production in Iowa. Agriculture and Human Values, 30(3), 351-364.

McKibben, B. (2007). Carbon’s new math. National Geographic, 212(4), 33-34.

Souza, S. P., & Seabra, J. E. (2013). Environmental benefits of the integrated production of ethanol and biodiesel. Applied Energy, 102, 5-12.