No matter how you feel about the current president, it’s almost time for a new one to step into office. What will the new candidates declare about the war in Iraq? Many Americans disagree with the decision to invade. I certainly did. They want to know: Why are our troops really over there in the first place? Did you know Bush decided to invade Iraq in April 2001, six months before the tragic event of September 11^th? What if, instead of invading other countries for access to their energy resources, we used the technology available to us in alternative fuels? Why do we continue to hear about these “miracle innovations” destined to replace gasoline, but they’re always just on the cusp of being put into commercial use? It’s time to be informed about the alternative fuel choices out there and why they aren’t in the pumps today.

Biodiesel

This form of diesel fuel is made from vegetable oils, animal fats, or grease that has been recycled after restaurants have used it. (There’s plenty of that available, isn’t there?) It is safe, biodegradable, and is much better for the environment than oil-based diesel. While the costs are slightly higher than regular diesel, this is mostly due to the scarcity of processing/filling stations and will decrease as more plants are put in place. The best thing about biodiesel is it can be used in engines with little or no modification. The cons of this type of fuel, like many others, come down to cost. And who will take up that cost? In the end, you and I.

Fuel cells

Research into fuel cells has been going on in earnest since the 1950s, believe it or not. In fact, this was the way the Apollo astronauts were able to generate enough energy to make it to the moon and back. Conventional fuel cells have relied on hydrogen gas as a fuel source. Recently, scientists have begun to investigate the idea of using bacteria in a fuel cell in order to generate electrical energy. The bacteria can use almost any chemical as a food source. The major expense in research, development, production, and implementation will have to be handed down to the consumer. Can you imagine where we could be if we spent 10% of what we have spent on the Iraq war in advancing this technology? Nevertheless, as long as fuel cells stay so expensive, this isn’t the technology that’s going to get us out of Iraq.

Ethanol

This alcohol-based fuel is created when the (mostly) non-edible parts of some crops have been broken down into simple sugars, fermented, then distilled. In the United States, these crops are primarily corn or sorghum. In Brazil, it is made from sugar cane. It burns cleaner than gasoline, emitting fewer greenhouse gases, but right now since production is basically still in infancy, planting, harvesting, and processing ethanol might take more fuel than is produced. With better research and increasing awareness/use of the fuel, it will become less energy-costly to make.

So why aren’t we pumping ethanol already? For one reason, there’s not nearly as much energy in it as there is in gasoline. Producing it costs almost twice as much energy as is in the final product, creating a net energy loss. And, since machinery used to plant, maintain, and reap the corn burns fossil-fuels…. well, you see the problem. But that’s not the biggest problem. Some scientists estimate the ethanol needed to power a car for a single year would require 11 acres of corn! While those fields replenish themselves, it would leave no usable land for other food crops.

This problem, like so many others, may have a compromising solution: cellulosic ethanol can be made from non-food products like corn stalk, wood chips, and switch grass. Keep an eye out for this product, bound to hit gas stations nearby in the next…… well, whenever scientists can figure it all out. Stay tuned!

Bottom line: In the near future, oil wars will be a thing of the past. Our dependencies upon other countries for oil, and the toll burning it takes on the environment, will hopefully be at an end. In the meantime, become informed about the candidates for the upcoming election and research their stance on the issues of the environment and the war. Then, do your part by walking when it’s possible and investing in the most fuel-efficient vehicle you can that will fit your needs. If we all make a concerted effort to help, we can promote good health for our environment for years to come.

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