The Ethanol Debate Common Threads IV Ethanol What

The Ethanol Debate Common Threads IV – Ethanol

What is ethanol? • Also called ethyl alcohol • A flammable, colourless liquid • Can be used as a fuel, as an alternative to gasoline • Easy to manufacture Common Threads IV – Ethanol

Making Ethanol • Ethanol can be made from a variety of crops, including corn and sugarcane Corn Sugarcane Common Threads IV – Ethanol

Making Ethanol • The process includes fermentation, distillation and dehydration Fermentation of sugarcane Common Threads IV – Ethanol

Ethanol vs. Gasoline Ethanol requires less energy to manufacture than gasoline. Common Threads IV – Ethanol

Ethanol vs. Gasoline Ethanol uses a renewable resource, while gasoline does not. Common Threads IV – Ethanol

Ethanol vs. Gasoline Ethanol produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline. Common Threads IV – Ethanol

However… Common Threads IV – Ethanol

Ethanol and Food • One of the concerns with ethanol is that crop land is being used for producing fuel, rather than the food that is needed in many countries Common Threads IV – Ethanol

Ethanol and Food • Because so many of the products we use rely on corn, if there is less corn available because of its diversion to fuel, then the cost of food may increase. Common Threads IV – Ethanol

What do you think of ethanol? Common Threads IV – Ethanol