Corn Ruins Everything

The term "renewable energy" is subject to a lot of greenwashing. Though not as dirty as coal, corn ethanol — touted as a green option for gasoline — still produces a significant amount of greenhouse gases as it is grown and processed. It also takes up fertile acreage that could be used for growing food crops. Yet, because of the EPA's renewable fuel standards, over 13.2 billion gallons of corn-based ethanol are due to be blended into gasoline in 2012. In order to continue the production of the "green" fuel source, the government has given 55% of its renewable energy subsidies to agribusiness for corn production.