Biochar: Another False Solution to Climate Change
- By Teresa Anderson
March 20, 2009
There is a new threat to African land rights, people and ecosystems, parading as a corporate solution to Climate Change. It is known as "Biochar".
Biochar essentially operates on the same principle as Biofuels, but claims that by developing massive tree plantations, converting the biomass to charcoal and then burying part of it, this will sequester carbon in the soil and increase soil fertility. This is based on the principle of Terra Preta ("Black Earth") from the Amazon, where traditional practices enhanced soil fertility by burying charcoal.
The proponents claim that 1/10 of total global emissions could be returned to the soil through biochar from organic residues, and further 1/10 from plantation biochar. The argument has lots of high-profile supporters. But if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. This model is likely to bring with it some critical problems.
For example:
- Over 500 million hectares of land would be required for biomass plantations. Africa will be targeted for these developments.
- The large scale burying of charcoal is completely different from the small-scale indigenous Terra Preta process.
- There is very little peer reviewed evidence to show that Biochar actually DOES sequester carbon. What peer reviewed work there is suggests it may actually RELEASE more carbon into the atmosphere.
- On its own, biochar is useless. It needs combination with ammonium bicarbonate to make it into useable fertilizer. This process is being patented. Claims that this going to help small farmers in Africa are therefore nonsense.
But lobbying for biochar has moved fast, and has been very effective at going under the radar. There are already proposals at UNCCD (Conference on Desertification) and UNFCCC (Climate Convention) for these to be solutions. 11 African governments have called for Biochar to be included in carbon trading systems.
A sign-on statement from Civil Society Organisations is being circulated (please see below.) If your organization wishes to support this declaration, or for questions or comments please send an e-mail containing the name of your organization and country to biochar_concerns@yahoo.co.uk
Best wishes,
Teresa
READ THE REST:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_17330.cfm
Etiquetas: Biochar
2 Comentarios:
You are buying into a lot of misinformation. I have been covering biochar on my blog for two years and we tackle much of the science.
I also figured out now an indigenous farmer could use the method as made the soils of the Amazon fertile for centuries.
arclein
http://globalwarming-arclein.blogspot.com/
The most important improvement to the lives of folks in developing nations is the introduction of cheap, clean, biomass stoves that produce biochar. The health effects alone are greater than wiping out malaria!
Even Dr James Lovelock says Biochar at scale is the one way man can save the planet. The larger the scale the greater the scrutiny as to sustainability of feedstocks and validity of soil carbon gains.
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