Millions of Acres for Ethanol
The U.S. dedicates over 30 million acres to grow corn just for ethanol. This land could instead support:
- 🥗 Diversified crops to improve nutrition and food access
- 🌳 Reforestation and prairie restoration for carbon capture
- 🌻 Wildlife habitats and pollinator-friendly ecosystems
Soil and Water Depletion
Corn requires intensive inputs: fertilizer, irrigation, and pesticides. This leads to:
- 💧 Groundwater depletion in already-stressed regions
- 🧪 Nitrate runoff into rivers, lakes, and drinking water
- 🌱 Soil erosion and reduced long-term fertility
Opportunity Cost to the Planet
Ethanol-focused agriculture delays real climate solutions. The opportunity cost includes:
- ❌ Blocking regenerative farming practices
- ❌ Delaying national carbon sequestration goals
- ❌ Undermining biodiversity and rural resilience