But growing crops for the sole purpose of producing biochar could prove problematic, not to mention generate more carbon dioxide than it saves if, say, old-growth forests are stripped for plantations. Much like the debate over ethanol and other biofuels, socio-political economics are also at play.
“Using biochar to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at these levels is an ambitious project that requires significant commitments from the general public and government,” says James E. Amonette, a geochemist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and one of the study’s co-authors. “We will need to change the way we value the carbon in biomass.”
Via ScienceDaily
Biochar systems for Biofuels and soil carbon sequestration are so basically conservative in nature it is a shame that republicans have not seized it as a central environmental policy plank as the conservatives in Australia have; Carbon sequestration without Taxes.
Is it possible to convert used coffee grounds to Biochar? The reason I’m asking is that I started to use it in my garden earlier this year and have collected over a tonne of it so far. Across the world we throw thousands of tonnes of the stuff into landfill, where its potential is wasted.
If you want to learn more about what I have been doing with coffee grounds in my community, and how easy it is for any one person to make a difference, check out my blog http://shanegenziuk.wordpress.com/2010/07/03/ground-to-ground/
I hope this it will help you
“The Biochar Revolution” with “The Biochar Solution”
http://biochar-books.com/
It is a truly biochar Bible.
I believe this is the most beautiful holiday gift for your loved ones.