Energy woes

Alert ("Food vs. fuel in a world that's hungry for change," July/August, p. 48) stated that corn-based ethanol is not a responsible solution to the problems caused by our reliance on fossil fuels. While your arguments against using corn are convincing, your suggestion of biodiesel concerns me. Are readers aware that biodiesel is sometimes made from animal fats? Instead, how about using the corn that is being made into high-fructose corn syrup as ethanol? It would fill our energy needs without infringing on the world's food sources--and improve the American diet.

Gail Beckwith

Essex Junction, Vt.

While I do agree that corn is not a cure-all for energy woes ("Food vs. fuel in a world that's hungry for change"), I don't agree with the suggested action: Write to politicians. The only short-term solution is conservation. Politicians can't force us to conserve any more than they can force us to recycle. I would rather you encourage readers to spread the word about going vegan and using less energy in their homes.

Barry Levine

Via e-mail

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