Comments Carl Flatow has made

  • My Question Stands

    Some of you say we need the corn to feed people, which is done by feeding it to cattle, and others say that to use that corn to feed cattle is a really bad idea. You guys battle it out and let me know when you're done. I, myself, have not eaten meat from an animal that was fed corn in over 10 years. That's my answer to that part.

    In essence, Blume is saying that ethanol, when done right, is sustainable, environmentally friendly and worthwhile. That still sounds reasonable to me.

    Sure, lot's of businesses will do it wrong.There's nothing that can't be done wrong - even on a grand scale.

    Why don't we talk about doing it right?On What it means to put 4.1 billion bushels of corn into our gas tanks posted 1 year, 3 months ago 46 Responses

  • Ethanol Myths

    There are a lot of "facts" being repeated which I fear have not been validated, the most significant of which is that when we make ethanol from corn we are making a choice between food and fuel.
    Has anyone established that David Blume's theses are incorrect?

    see: http://www.alcoholcanbeagas.com/

    Blume, an organic farmer and ecologist has published a tome entitled, Alcohol Can Be A Gas. In it he lays out in great detail that it is not necessary to choose between ethanol and food.

    I can find no error in his contention that since over 90% of the corn we grow goes to feed animals, and the production of ethanol from corn (feed corn is used)  only removes the carbs (which cattle don't digest very well), and all the protein and fat in what is left over leaves you with a better feed.

    Blume is the first to tell you that corn is not the ideal crop to make ethanol. The question remains, Is the demonization of ethanol production a legitimate concern or a ploy of the oil companies to which all too many have become a party?On What it means to put 4.1 billion bushels of corn into our gas tanks posted 1 year, 3 months ago 46 Responses

  • NY State grants for community gardens

    A few weeks ago the governor of NY implemented a program of grants to community gardens.
    See:
    http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/AD/release.asp?ReleaseID=173 ...
    On Amid climate crisis and rising costs, big media discovers city-grown food posted 1 year, 3 months ago 2 Responses

  • A Healthy Halloween

    Besides agreeing with me about giving fresh fruit, Dr. Andrew Weil's web site posts some suggestions for a healthy Halloween.
    "Consider giving out small squares of dark chocolate with at least 70 percent cocoa, little boxes of organic raisins, organic granola bars, organic fruit wraps, or snack-size bags of air-popped popcorn."
    See here for more:
    http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/TIP02599

    Visit http://sus10nc.com More blogs at http://sciencefriday.com These comments represent the opinions of Carl Flatow.

    On Does this Halloween skepticism make me a curmudgeon? posted 2 years ago 7 Responses

  • Eating meat

    Although I admit that the Buffy quote made me chuckle a bit, I actually think that associating the consumption of turkey on Thanksgiving with ritual sacrifice distracts from the important topic of being seriously mindful of the impact of our actions on other living beings.

    The point of the blog was to encourage folks who now eat industrial food, including meat, to switch to meat from animals raised locally, the old-fashioned way -- humanely, on a diet that is historically natural for that animal. I would think that others who reject the eating of meat might consider that at least a step in the right direction.

    On the other hand, I would be interested to know if there are many folks moving from meatless diets toward diets with some meat from animals raised the old-fashioned way, as I am.

    Visit http://sus10nc.com More blogs at http://sciencefriday.com These comments represent the opinions of Carl Flatow.

    On Thanksgiving isn't just about the food; it is about relationships posted 2 years, 2 months ago 17 Responses