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I don’t know the story, what’s bad about it? My understanding so far is that the corn used for ethanol isn’t the kind you eat (sweetcorn) it’s a cheaper to pro
by CraigJPerry 4y ago
I don’t know the story, what’s bad about it?
My understanding so far is that the corn used for ethanol isn’t the kind you eat (sweetcorn) it’s a cheaper to produce and more hardy plant but consequently can only really be used for cattle feed and ethanol production.
Ages ago i read something that said in the US, corn was the optimal source but in other parts of the world, sugar cane could result in a more energy efficient process for ethanol.
- qeternity 4y ago> but consequently can only really be used for cattle feed Spoiler: most agriculture goes to supporting industrial livestock farming. It doesn’t change the economics. The ethanol mandate is horribly stupid.
- CraigJPerry 4y agoI’m open to that, I was looking for more information rather than a pre-determined opinion though :-)
- qeternity 4y agoSure fair enough. It’s more nuanced than someone will be able to write in a succinct HN comment. Without debating the merits of carbon intensity, the ethanol mandate is far too small to make any appreciable impact on emissions. But it is large enough to have a very appreciable impact on food costs.
- maxerickson 4y agoField corn is used to make corn flour. Most people probably eat way more corn chips and similar than sweet corn. And then there is corn syrup, but we probably shouldn't eat more of that.
- CraigJPerry 4y agoThat makes sense. It’s not something that would solve itself then if that’s true - i don’t know that my demand for fuel is driving up the cost of my corn based foods and vice versa. I’m not deciding to drive less miles or take alternative transport because i want cheaper food - because i don’t know that connection exists. Tricky problem.