As someone who’s only been in the renewable fuels industry for a few short months, attending the Global Ethanol Summit (GES) was nothing short of eye-opening. Walking into a room filled with leaders, innovators, and advocates from around the world, all united by a shared belief in ethanol’s potential, was both humbling and inspiring.
As RFA’s President and CEO Geoff Cooper said in his opening remarks, “Ethanol solves problems.” That simple statement echoed in my mind over the course of the Summit. With every panel, conversation, and presentation, I started to understand why.
During the three days, I began to see ethanol as so much more than the small “this contains ethanol” sticker pasted on the front of the gas pump. It’s the heartbeat of a global industry that connects farmers, scientists, policymakers, and entrepreneurs across continents. It’s a story of innovation, sustainability, and community.
Seeing the Bigger Picture
Farming and agriculture are at the heart of this story, capturing and storing carbon from the atmosphere through crops like corn. Ethanol production builds on that natural cycle by turning the starch into clean fuel while the remaining protein and fiber become distillers grains, nutrient-rich feed that supports global food security. In fact, the U.S. ethanol industry produces enough protein each year to meet the USDA’s daily recommendation for hundreds of millions of people. Rather than taking food away, ethanol production helps create more, while also reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality, and keeping fuel affordable at the pump. It’s a reminder that when agriculture and energy work together, they can create real solutions for both people and the planet.
Ethanol as More Than Fuel
A moment from the Summit that stayed with me was a conversation with Sophie Odupoy, Director, Public Affairs at KOKO Networks, who spoke about the transition to ethanol as a household cooking fuel in Kenya. She described how deforestation and coal-based fuels have caused severe air pollution, leading to major health and environmental issues.
After her panel, I had the pleasure of speaking with Sophie one-on-one. She shared how communities that switched to ethanol are noticing cleaner air and better health. People are literally breathing easier. Word of mouth alone has inspired more families to make the switch. It was powerful to see how ethanol isn’t just a climate solution, it’s a human one too, and further exemplifies the multifaceted benefits of ethanol.
A Global Effort
I also had the chance to sit in on a meeting with a delegation from Taiwan, who currently blend ethanol at E3, but are keen to expand their market and blend percentage. They were eager to learn from other countries and collaborate on building a stronger market. Their openness and enthusiasm perfectly reflected the spirit of the Summit, one of shared learning, curiosity, trade, and progress on a global scale.
Looking Ahead
Leaving GES, I felt proud to be part of an industry tackling some of the biggest challenges of our time. Behind every breakthrough are farmers, scientists, and innovators proving what’s possible when agriculture and technology work together.
Hearing Geoff talk about ethanol’s beginnings as a grassroots movement led by farmers and visionaries determined to create something cleaner and homegrown made me appreciate how far the industry has come. What started as a push for energy independence has grown into a global solution tackling far bigger challenges. The industry is driving progress toward net zero carbon goals, exploring carbon negative technologies, and expanding into new markets like sustainable marine and aviation fuels. It is a huge step forward for our planet, and after seeing the passion and drive at GES, I have no doubt this industry will keep breaking barriers.
For me, GES was a moment of connection and realization. As Geoff reminded us, ethanol solves problems. From energy security and rural development to food supply and climate solutions, ethanol has always been about more than fuel. It’s about resilience, progress, and possibility. Next time you’re at the pump filling up with gas containing ethanol, in addition to thinking, “wow, look at all that money I’m saving!”, also take a moment to think about the farmers who grew the crops, the innovators who refined the process, and leaders of the industry fighting for global communities to benefit from cleaner air, cheaper gas, and a healthier planet.
