By Caroline Majewski, Publishing Associate: Researcher and Writer at Save the Water\u2122 | February 24, 2024<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fundamental issue is, are we going to burn food in our planes?\u201d (Lashof, 2023, para. 3).<\/p>\n
New fuels called Sustainable Aviation Fuels<\/a> (SAFs), like corn fuel, are made from non-petroleum sources. These can be blended with jet fuel at different ratios for use with already existing planes. Furthermore, there are benefits to using such fuel if blended with Jet A fuel<\/a>:<\/p>\n On the other hand, there are other sources of sustainable fuel<\/a> that researchers are looking into for viability:<\/p>\n Jet Fuel<\/a> is a type of aviation fuel that is used in gas-turbine engines. This is a type of liquid petroleum. Based on the number of carbon atoms of the refined kerosene-based<\/a> fuel, it is separated into different categories. Jet A and 1A<\/a> are the most common fuels used in the United States and worldwide, respectively.<\/p>\n Combustion of the gas produces a variety of harmful materials<\/a>:<\/p>\n There are about 45,000 flights in the United States each day alone. 11 percent of transportation-related emissions from the United States are from aviation. Worldwide aviation is two percent of all human-produced carbon dioxide emissions. Consequently, as the number of flights continues to increase, we need to think about how we can lower impact.<\/p>\n In more than 12 states from Ohio to North Dakota, there is a combined total of more than 100 million acres of corn. Meanwhile, about 40 percent of corn<\/a> is turned into fuel, and that number is set to rise.<\/p>\n Corn is a water-heavy produce. Therefore, if there is a rise in corn production, there will be an increase in the amount of groundwater used. In order to produce a gallon of ethanol, it takes many times that amount\u2014almost 100 gallons of water<\/a>. On the other hand, concerns over groundwater usage<\/a> are already being voiced, and this would only add to that.<\/p>\n Both corn and soybean produce are two of the United State\u2019s most prominent crops<\/a>. Almost 20 percent of corn production is in irrigated areas. This water<\/a> comes from groundwater, surface water, wastewater, or desalinated water. In short, this is another added pressure to natural water sources.<\/p>\n Meat and dairy production also uses a huge amount of water and pollutes water<\/a> surrounding the processing plants. Irrigated acreage for the corn<\/a> used for animal feed has increased more than 6 times since 1964. This, along with less reliable occurrences of rainwater, causes more use from aquifers<\/a>. The water from aquifers<\/a>, where water is being drawn from, has pressure on them.<\/p>\n As rainwater becomes less reliable and other sources<\/a> are polluted, that pressure just continues to increase. All these factors become strains we have to take into account. It\u2019s worth noting that other produce, such as soybeans, has similar issues. As Murphee from the Farm Bureau said, \u201cWater is the biggest challenge for our farmers but commodity crops remain the most profitable with the biggest markets\u201d (Murphee, 2023, para. 8).<\/p>\n One main drawback of sustainable fuels like corn, is the amount of land and water it takes to produce. Land that would otherwise go to food would be repurposed for fuel. As a result, more forests<\/a> would need to be cut down.<\/p>\n As of right now, sustainable fuel makes up less than one percent of jet fuel in the world. So, one of the beginning issues is that we don\u2019t make enough of this to see a significant effect.<\/p>\n Another aspect of SAFs to consider is their overall emission. Although they must emit<\/a> 50 percent less emissions than petroleum-based fuel, they still emit some. That is to say, just using SAFs alone<\/a> won\u2019t get the airlines to reach their goal of zero emissions.<\/p>\n To meet all the goals for zero emissions and increase the use of sustainable fuel, the Department of Energy wants 35 billion gallons<\/a> of it. However, this would take 110 million acres of corn, which is more than what is grown in total now.<\/p>\n\n
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What is Airplane Fuel Made of?<\/h2>\n
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So, How is Water Impacted?<\/h2>\n
Other Sources of Problems<\/h2>\n
Drawbacks of Corn Fuel<\/h2>\n
Sustainable Aviation Fuel Plans<\/h2>\n