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Although it sounds like an exotic martini that Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw might order, ethanol isn’t meant for drinking. Ethanol is a clean-burning fuel that reduces the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. It’s actually a form of alcohol primarily made from corn and wheat. Most gas-powered vehicles can run on a blend of gasoline and up to 10% ethanol. This "E-10 blend," is available at more than 1,000 gas stations across Canada. In many quarters, ethanol is being touted as the fuel of the future, especially by cash-strapped farmers. But there are downsides. In the best case scenario, waste agricultural products are used to make the ethanol. But in a worse case scenario, like biodiesel, farmers stop growing food and instead grow crops for gas. Ethanol is actually causing a lot of controversy. Some scientists argue that corn ethanol did the environment more harm than good since its production uses more energy than it creates and intensive corn production requires pesticides which could pollute waterways. Others see ethanol as an environmentally friendly fuel that will helps North Americans kick the fossil fuel habit. In short, we could be trading one environmental hazard for others. Learn more about ethanol:
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Ethanol: a martini for your car
