Brazil's Sweet Taste of Ethanol

I hear you on the debate over burning food for fuel debate (I am instinctively opposed to the idea). It is said that cane sugar is 8 times more efficient than corn ethanol. The big question is it more efficient that regular fuel (which it is not, as motorists have to fuel up more frequently).

Of course there is the environmental impact. Cane based ethanol has almost no pollutants as emissions. What I find the most interesting is the lack of attention connecting the dots between increased crop production and the inevitable increase in deforestation.

Dweller - Ah the good 'ol days :D

This is a hot topic at the moment..A recent study by the University of Washington opined that Some Biofuels might do more harm than good to the environment.

It says that some of the most popular current biofuel stocks might have exactly the opposite impacts than intended.

The study looked at factors such as the energy needed to produce a renewable fuel source compared with how much energy is produced, its impact on the surrounding, soil fertility and effects on food supply when fuels based on crops such as corn and soybeans are mixed with fossil fuels.

Based on those factors, the authors determined that corn-based ethanol is the worst alternative overall.

These concerns are becoming more acute with the rapid rise of both food and fuel prices, she said. The issue is especially touchy for farmers who might for the first time be realizing significant profits on their crops, but it also is a serious concern for motorists.

We used to buy ethanol in Kuwait (it was sold for cleaning computers and is of course used in embalming).

Cut 10 to 1 with water, it gives the same strength as commercial alcohol products and became known as "stiff".

Stiff and tonic was a popular drink.