[Terrapreta] C02 Tree Capture – how much carbon dioxide do trees really capture?

[lou gold]

Oooops, I missed the "wood for charcoal question". This one is complex and
there is no way I can do it justice. Here are just a few considerations...

1. Again, it is most paramount that primary forests are not cut for this
purpose.

2. Here in Brazil, eucalyptus is grown for charcoal on a huge scale. It even
fuels the iron foundries. This is what you do when there is no cheap coal
available. I am told told that there are better and worse ways to do it.
Cutting primary forests for the first round of charcoal and replacing them
with eucalyptus plantations is a bad way. Vast eucalyptus monocultures are a
bad way. Placing eucalyptus stands as one of several crops in a diversified
farming operation is a good way.

3. I'm very uneasy about the new ethanol from cellulose approach with
genetically modified trees but I'm not qualified to have a real intelligent
judgment here.

4, I would vastly prefer to see wood wastes go into producing char for the
soil instead of for fuel or co-generation.

OK, that's a start -- barely scratches the surface I'm sure.

hugs,   lou



On Dec 5, 2007 11:14 AM, lou gold <lou.gold at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hmmm. Did ya watch the video? It clearly states that soil and water are
> the main limiting factors. Therefore, if you want to have plants and trees
> pulling CO2 out of the atmosphere, you better work on soil fertility and its
> ability to retain water. Perfect tasks for TP.
>
> I don't consider myself as a spokesperson for the tree-huggers. Actually,
> across the past year, Terra Preta maybe transforming my awareness and
> ideology more toward conscious farming. The main inspiration of TP for me is
> that the El Dorado story says that once there was a civilization of high
> density populations living in harmony with nature and  forests. This is very
> contrary to the history of western civilization which advanced via
> deforestation. Indeed, it is so different that it might constitute a vitally
> necessary paradigm shift and carry us from the issues of scarcity into the
> joys of abundance. I don't know that this is true. I suspect it might be. I
> want to find out.
>
> I believe strongly that we need to stop logging any more intact primary
> forests. A complete halt is unlikely. All steps of avoided or reduced
> deforestation need to be rewarded. Carbon credits are a good way.
>
> As far as as intelligent forest management is concerned, I recommend that
> you check out the Menominee Tribal Forest which has won many awards and
> recognitions. http://www.menominee.edu/sdi/RAndEMission.html
>
> hugs,
>
> lou
>
>
> On Dec 5, 2007 10:12 AM, Kevin Chisholm <kchisholm at ca.inter.net> wrote:
>
> > Dear David and Lou
> >
> > Most of us on the Terra Preta List have an "environmentally responsible
> > leaning", a sense of beauty, and an appreciation of the good things a
> > tree can do. However, what I see is that extremism seldom works in an
> > optimal manner. Mother Nature is smart, and she seems to favor
> > diversity. It is absolutely impossible for Man to exist on this Earth
> > without interacting with Mother Nature. Either we get Divorced and one
> > of us leaves, or we find ways that we can live on Earth in a sustainable
> >
> > basis. Otherwise, one of us will die, and the other will be seriously
> > injured.
> >
> > As Representatives of our "Resident Tree Huggers", what would you and
> > David recommend as tree cutting guidelines  acceptable to the Tree
> > Huggers?
> >
> > Under what conditions would the Tree Hugging Community agree to using
> > wood as a source of carbon for Terra Preta?
> >
> > Kevin
> >
> > lou gold wrote:
> > > Good Morning to All,
> > >
> > > Another good one from ABC.
> > > http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s1901661.htm
> > >
> > > I draw the lesson that if one wants trees and other plants to capture
> > > carbon it's best to work on renewing the soil.
> > >
> > > hugs,   lou
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > >
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> > >
> > http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/biochar/
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> >
> >
> >
>
>
> --
> http://lougold.blogspot.com/
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/visionshare/sets/




-- 
http://lougold.blogspot.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/visionshare/sets/
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