Ethanol in Brazil
I personaly think it would be a great idea for sign for the exploration of more indepth bio-fuel production. In this particular artical sugar can ethanol fuel has been produced and in use in this Brazilian city since the 70's. Now that Bush wants the fuel to become more available and exported world wide people are raising flags about environmental issues to the Amazon rain forest. My question is, if this fuel has been produced since the 70's why is the Amazon just now becoming an issue? It would seem to me that if any country was to expand and begin production of any type of ethanol or bio-fuel on a large scale production that there would automaticaly be certain steps taken to ensure the safty to the public, and the environment around them.
8 comments:
Unfortunately, the assumption that steps would be taken to ensure the safety of the public and the environment is not necessarily true. Especially in Brazil, the government is corrupt and a lot of economic activity is conducted by private organizations and organized crime. The environment is also not a huge concern, especially to those people that would be making huge amounts of money by the production of sugar cane ethanol. Although, I definitely promote the use of alternative energy and I understand that sugar cane ethanol is an efficient alternative to regular gasoline, we can't assume that steps will be taken to do it safely.
I also support the use of alternative energy, but we must look at the sources. How much sugar cane does the Amazon have to give and can it compare to the rate in which we use ethanol. If not than it would not be beneficial for us or to them to take what we can and then have to turn back to our current practices once it runs out. Also we don't want to strip a suffering country of such economic resources and put the profits in the hands of the wrong people which has been done before in countries such as the Middle East and Russia. Look what happened to those economies, and they certainly do not benefit ours.
I think that ethonol or bio-fuelo should become more popular with us Americans. With gas prices being the way they are now something has to give.
I am sorry environmentalists like to be in the spot light and make a fuss about nothing. Since this fuel has been made since the 70's I am sure that it is not one of the main problems the rain forest faces. Also Brazil is not the only place in the world that produces sugar cane so I say share the technology so the environmentalists will shut up.
To consider the damage to the environment only from the environmentalists' view is not correct. When we consider the economy backfiring behind it, the result happens to be surprising. We encourage alternatives that can reduce our quantity of pollusion without sacraficing too much economic profits. Therefore, whether the ethanol should be advocated or discouraged depens on whether it is a satisfying alternatives and obviously, it is not becuase it damage the rain forest.
I dont understand that if this fuel has been around since the 70's why the Amazon is just now becoming an issue. Does that mean that it was hurting the environment before now? Another question to take into consideration is how unsafe are we making the environment around the Amazon because we need more ideas of fuel production because of the high demand for fuel.
we need these other ways. And if this has been around since the 1970's why is the issue being brought up now. The alternative fuels are going to become more popular because of the rise in gas prices and the bug in our ear about us ruining the enviorment. If this idea becomes more popular then steps will be taken to ensure places will not be killed or ruined.
I agree on the premise of why is the Amazon becoming an issue now. What this article written my a coal-friendly reporter trying to take away from alternative fuels? The conspiracy may be there. Or maybe just a jump in demand has caused this problem.
Post a Comment