The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported Biochar as a key technology for reaching low carbon dioxide atmospheric concentration targets. The negative emissions that can be produced by Bio-energy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) has been estimated by the Royal Society to be equivalent to a 50 to 150 ppm decrease in global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. Annual net emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane and nitrous oxide could be reduced by a maximum of 1.8 Pg CO2-C equivalent (CO2-Ce) per year (12% of current anthropogenic CO2-Ce emissions; 1 Pg=1 Gt), and total net emissions over the course of a century by 130 Pg CO2-Ce, without endangering food security, habitat or soil conservation. Wikipedia

18 September 2012

The Secret of El Dorado

Written by Chris Machens, Posted in Biochar, FAQ, Science, Video

The discovery of Biochar

The Secret of El Dorado
A decade ago Scientist discovered what is known by the Indios as Terra Preta or Black Earth and turned out be a part of instruments at our disposel to combat climate change. A incredible BBC documentary from 2002 reveals this story.

10 August 2012

Must Watch - Solve for X: Mike Cheiky on negative carbon liquid fuels

Posted in News, Biochar, Energy, Geoengineering, Project, Technology, Video

Must Watch - Solve for X: Mike Cheiky on negative carbon liquid fuels
Talk by Mike Cheiky, President and Founder of CoolPlanet Energy Systems, which is developing carbon negative fuels with Biochar.

05 July 2012

2012 US Biochar Conference

Written by Chris Machens, Posted in News, Biochar, Event

biochar as a key tool in Sonoma County (CA) to achieve both effective climate policy and program implementation and accelerated, sustainable agricultural productivity

2012 US Biochar Conference
The United States Biochar Initiative (USBI) selected the Sonoma Biochar Initiative (SBI) in partnership with the Sonoma Ecology Center to host the 2012 US Biochar Conference in Sonoma County, California from July 29 to August 1, 2012.

19 April 2012

Waste not, want not

Written by Chris Machens, Posted in Biochar, News, Market, Project, Technology

An Oxnard organic recycling company redoes soil enrichment, reduces greenhouse gases

From VC Reporter by Shelby Maloney:
In the race against the clock to find new ways to fight climate change, Agromin, an Oxnard-based organic recycling company, plans to aid in the effort to modernize an ancient soil enhancement technology by developing its own version of a charcoal-like soil amendment known as biochar. Biochar is produced from organic biomass, or plant waste, and is known to have several environmental benefits, including carbon sequestration, the act of taking carbon out of the atmosphere.

18 April 2012

Drought: how to adapt in the garden

Written by Chris Machens, Posted in News, Biochar, Howto, Science, Soil

Bunny Guinness advises how to tend to your garden in the drought / water ban

Drought: how to adapt in the garden
Bunny Guinness from the Telegraph: We’re nation of weather watchers, and the gardeners among us are getting extremely concerned. Even if we get a drenching this month, the hosepipe ban in many areas looks set to stay for the summer. It’s time for a rethink about the way we use water in the garden.

17 April 2012

How One Startup Sold $6,000 Worth of Charcoal on Kickstarter

Written by Chris Machens, Posted in Biochar, News, Market, Project, Technology, Video

Produce 200% more food every crop season if they mix their soil with specially-designed charcoal

How One Startup Sold $6,000 Worth of Charcoal on Kickstarter
Mashable:
Big Idea: Utilize organic waste to create carbon-negative charcoal, a substance that pulls CO2 from the air and helps crops grow taller and stronger.

Why It’s Working: Re:char’s mission is about providing farmers — both at home and in developing countries such as Kenya — with conservation-oriented soil-boosting complexes that can double food output compared to traditional farming methods.

13 April 2012

New concepts, products and ideas for the garden

Posted in News, Biochar, Howto, Soil

Biochar increases soil’s productivity and reduces the amount of water needed to produce a good crop

New concepts, products and ideas for the garden
By Penny Stine:
Gardening may be as old as dirt, but that doesn’t mean that gardening methods, tools or ideas are equally aged.

Although it’s possible to grow a garden using the same practices used by your dear old granny, new research, new ideas and new discoveries may make it possible to grow more of what you want without moving to Iowa for the sake of growing better sweet corn.

Researchers and enthusiasts alike are singing the praises of biochar, a type of charcoal that’s produced when biomass is burned without oxygen.
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