r/science • u/Wagamaga • Aug 06 '20

Chemistry Turning carbon dioxide into liquid fuel. Scientists have discovered a new electrocatalyst that converts carbon dioxide (CO2) and water into ethanol with very high energy efficiency, high selectivity for the desired final product and low cost.

https://www.anl.gov/article/turning-carbon-dioxide-into-liquid-fuel
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u/LoveItLateInSummer Aug 06 '20

What? Inputs to corn to ethanol is not energy positive at all. At all.

Not to mention the huge negative environmental impact of corn monoculture in regions where it is grown, and the use of billions of gallons of fresh water to grow and process it.

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u/DoobieKaleAle Aug 06 '20

Is this just an assumption/opinion or do you actually know? Most corn is not irrigated, it relies on natural rainfall, and what is the huge negative environmental impact of the monoculture? I’m just interested

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u/LoveItLateInSummer Aug 06 '20

https://cropwatch.unl.edu/corn/water

Nebraska corn is around 60% irrigated. Millions of acres. Most corn in the US is not dry land grown.

Look up US land grant university studies on the effects of soil health, ground water pollution, and pest selection (weeds and bugs) due to use of controlling inputs.

If I had more time this morning I would link you a primary source, but there is lots of research on the topic so you should not come up empty handed.

As far as net energy, https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2001/08/ethanol-corn-faulted-energy-waster-scientist-says

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u/DoobieKaleAle Aug 06 '20

Do you not think crop producers care about soil health? Would they destroy their soil, the very thing that they make a living on? Farmers are stewards of soil health and well being, and are getting better and better at it, incorporating no till, crop rotations, cover crops, and technology to manage their land down to the sub acre level varying their inputs to get the most out of their inputs. This contributes to better soils, healthier watersheds, and overall better yields and management. Pesticide use and effect is negligible, the biggest problem the American farmer faces today is nutrient use and run off, primarily phosphates and nitrogen. They’re getting better but certain processes adopted in the East still need to be adopted in the Midwest at the same rate.