Seed's Downloadable Tool for Living in the 21st Century

Scientific issues and innovations are figuring into everyday conversation more than ever before. Recognizing that we could all use some brushing up, Seed offers its Cribsheet.

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Biofuels

Biofuels — fuels made from living things — are one potential replacement for fossil fuels. This Cribsheet takes a look at how today’s predominant biofuel, ethanol, is produced from corn and how this process may cause more problems than it solves. In addition, it examines how new methods for creating ethanol from plant stems and leaves may in the future provide the world with a lasting alternative to fossil fuels.

Download the Crib Sheet

Illustrator: Bryan Christie — www.bryanchristiedesign.com Writer: Lee Billings Graph data: Annual Energy Outlook 2008, US Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration. / A Farrell et al. (2006) “Ethanol Can Contribute to Energy and Environmental Goals.” Science 311:506-508

 

Originally published October 20, 2008

Tags climate energy food

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