Liquid Gold

Part of the issue can be traced to a general lack of understanding of basic water concepts and an acceptance of a places Water Address (all the factors that make a site unique from a water perspective). The farmers know their Water Address and they must use and manage water within the law and based on ever changing needs and challenges. Education must play a bigger role in water management!. Creative efforts like Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) is one education program that is helping children/youth understand water through school and community-based education. Check out www.projectwet.org for education materials on groundwater, watersheds, wetlands, water conservations, and other important water topic.

THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS VERY REAL. I TRIED TO DENY IT BUT WHEN YOU HAVE AL SHARPTON MAKING COMMERCIALS WITH PAT ROBERTSON AND NEWT GINGRINCH DOING COMMERCIALS WITH ANNCY PELOSI ALL FOR THIS-THEN THAT'S A LOUD AND CLEAR SIGNAL. Go to www.dakshidin.com for the environment uptick on other energy source(mainly air and wind-I saw on Glen Beck about the air powered car-HOPE SO!)and www.greenglobeint.com for the companies that specialize in tourism and traveling in the most green way because traveling is very, very much a pollutant as people discard and tarvel more frivilous than when they are home.

Why do this in places where the only water available is fresh water? Consider areas where sea water can be desalinated!

Erica Asahan wrote:

After watching CNN the other night and more about Ethanol, I absolutely believe that this is not THE solution to our energy/oil problems. First, they should and must educate people like myself on where they are planning on pulling the funds to spend in producing Ethanol?

I find it difficult to believe that all of these comments are about driving! Cost of fuel very important and how we get it also very important. Now there is a conflict, water, food, fuel. It is all related. How do we decide where to start the process? Just a thought, but what about eating? How do we make these decisions?

After reading this information and having a very small (really very small) farm, one of my first thoughts is for farmers and for consumers because we all benefit if it WORKS, is to grow what our climate supports. Small farmers are a coop. Not in name but in life. If we keep ignoring what our land can produce, I feel we are missing the big picture because that is what will flourish as our ability to "buy" will diminish. We in effect will go back to where we began. I personally do not believe that is a detriment. It will cause us to look at what we do and how we live with a different eye. That is one way to look at our future and our options so that we can make realistic decisions. I feel that at this time and place we are not ready to have an honest discussion about these problems.

Even at peak production, ethanol will only fuel about 12% of our nation's energy needs. Research has proven that ethanol contributes to global warming by increasing greenhouse gases, consumes precious water used to manufacture it and increases the cost of food by utilizing a commodity used to feed people and livestock. At the present time the cheapest source of energy we have are fossil fuels, natural gas, and coal. To ignore these resources, and rely on green technology that cannot meet our energy needs at present is foolhardy. Humans are not the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions, and this chimera put forth by enviornmentalists has taken on the ring of truth when in fact nothing could be further from it. Responsible use of proven technology and resources will not endanger the environment, but enhance it for future generations to come. By placing all our bets on a limited technology that cannot meet our needs as fully as current proven technology, we run the risk of endangering not only ourselves but the environment as well.

Americans WAKE Up and smell the coffee. Dump the gas-guzzlers at AutoGiver.com and get a nice rebate check from from the government. Then buy a hybrid or convert. Don't support foriegn oil consumption.

I converted to biodiesel. My old benz gets 600 miles on a tankfull. See trafficorganic.com for more information. I think it is better than ethenol

I am not an apologist for ethonal, in fact I think ethonal production from grain has no future at all. However I want to point out the article has serious flaws. Last year about 1% of corn grown in the US was produced in Colorado--I find it implausible that any county in Colorado could be even in the top 100 counties for corn production. Also only a small portion of corn grown in the US is irrigated. Someone needs to check their sources.

here's one for the'kelp' farmers..then whatcha gonna do when the kelp runs out........cricket...cricket

The answer to our future fuel needs will be in large scale sea-farming. Scientists are already developing technology to convert seaweed and kelp into fuel. It's apparently much more efficient than corn or even sugar based ethanol. We will one day have massive seaweed/kelp "fields" stacked one on top of another in the deep ocean. I have seen the models. We won't have to purchase any land because nobody owns the ocean. We won't have to worry about too much land being used. No fertilization or watering will be needed. The ocean naturally provides what we need. Scientists have even said this can be done in a very clean way and have very little impact on sea life. Companies are already spending the money to develop this, but what they really need are large federal grants to make it happen, and the will of our government to truly get us off our oil addiction. We can become the greatest producer and exporter of energy in the world, and benefit our environment in the process.

Ethanol is oounded good but no one considered the real cost in terms of resources. Lobbyist for commercial farming got these laws passed. Now we are looking at damages including water waste, rapidly increasing dead zones, increased prices for food. Of course, conservation of energy and improved efficiency are a low priority. Who wants to cut back when you look oh so cool in that hummer?