Burning corn for heat?

[JEBofChristTheLord]

It is becoming more and more common in the U.S.A. to burn corn for home heating. Anyone concerned about this?

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/12/09/051209141924.flu6l9pn.html

 

[Rygel]

Why? What is there to be concerned about?

 

[Tangnefedd]

How does it effect global warming, which is BIG concern?

 

[ChristianCenturion]

How does it effect global warming, which is BIG concern?

So is drilling and transporting oil and gas products.

Excerpt from the linked article:
"Once relegated to farmhouses and cabins, corn-burning and more common wood-burning stoves began growing in popularity four years ago among environmentally-minded consumers interested in cheaper and renewable energy sources."

 

[Lokisdottir]

I think it's a fantastic idea. I'd get one if it was up to me.

 

[loriersea]

I'd never heard of this. Why is it something to be concerned about? I can't imagine it is more harmful than burning gas products.

 

[JEBofChristTheLord]

The righteousness of burning food for heat, has been my primary question.

 

[ChristianCenturion]

The righteousness of burning food for heat, has been my primary question.

As in it being a food product and people in need of food elsewhere?

In that case, there is not much distinction between the food in hand and money spent to acquire the alternative energy source.

If I didn't get your context correct, please explain further.

 

[Arnold_Philips]

The righteousness of burning food for heat, has been my primary question.

Well, the food is still being used. It's not going to waste.

 

[Cerberus~]

The righteousness of burning food for heat, has been my primary question.

Which is more morally acceptable, someone starving to death, or someone freezing to death?

 

[loriersea]

Which is more morally acceptable, someone starving to death, or someone freezing to death?

Right. If people were burning corn for the fun of it, that might be a bit disgusting, given that people in the world could use that corn to keep from starving. But, people do die from the cold, and I see nothing wrong with using a food product to keep warm.

 

[billwald]

There is no shortage of food. Just the opposite which is why corn is so cheap that it can be burned for fuel.

 

[freealaska]

Yeah I'm just not seeing this as a moral or ethical issue. Yeah that corn could probably be used to feed starving people and they would be thankful for it. The United States, Canada, Europe and other countries probably produce much more food than they'll ever need and they already do export a lot of it. But the problem as I see is getting the food to them. We could probably boost production and produce enough food for everyone on earth to get the recommended daily allowance of calories. The problem is that from a logistical standpoint getting that food to everyone would be a nightmare.

And believe it or not, not every government really cares about the health and well-being of its citizens...some feel they would be better off if that pesky tribe in the north just died out of starvation and so-forth.

What I'm wondering is since agriculture produces a lot of waste couldn't they figure out a way to recycle say the corn cobs and husks and turn those into suitable fuel pellets for heating? I'd be surprised if they haven't already developed something like that.

 

[invisible trousers]

It's bad because if we burn too much corn we won't have enough to make our precious, precious high fructose corn syrup.

 

[Illuminatus]

It's bad because if we burn too much corn we won't have enough to make our precious, precious high fructose corn syrup.

Forget corn syrup, what about my bourbon?!

 

[reina23]

What is there to be concerned about?

 

[Moros]

Here in the wild west, everything is electric. Stoves, heaters, dishwashers, washers and dryers, you name it. No need for a gas alternative when you don't use it from the get-go.

 

[Rygel]

The righteousness of burning food for heat, has been my primary question.

They purchased the corn. It's theirs to do with as they wish.

If they're burning it for heat, then it's not food, it's fuel.

 

[Kroger99]

Forget corn syrup, what about my bourbon?!

Being that I'm a Kentucky boy, I must agree with this.......lol

My question is why is people using my fuel source for bad food?
Actually, I don't really concider corn a very healthy food source. Other than than the posible shortage of good ole Kentucky Bourbon, I see no problems using corn as a heating fuel source. I have been concidering this myself.

 

[MoodyBlue]

Sounds like a great renewable energy source.