[Terrapreta] Catalyst: Carbon Bigfoot

[Duane Pendergast]

            Lou,

 

I'm not aware of much detailed modeling of the potential role of terra preta
in removing carbon dioxide. There are plenty of detailed studies of carbon
dioxide levels in the atmosphere based on various and sundry assumptions
with respect to "business as usual" and various emission reduction
scenarios. I recall the IPCC has been involved in these. So far the IPCC
does not explicitly recognize the terra preta concept so it would not be
included in their models. 

 

One point that is rarely brought out is that if all the estimated quantities
of fossil fuel were to be burned, the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere would
be increased only a few times - and would be far below the amount considered
to be a direct health hazard. There are many diagrams of the carbon cycle
posted on the Internet that provide the data needed to show this. One of
them is included as Figure 1 in an illustrated paper
<http://www.computare.org/Support%20documents/Publications/Energy%20and%20CO
2%20Management.htm>  I presented in 2004. It includes a rough estimate -
just  under Figure 1 - that fossil fuel reserves are enough to triple
atmospheric CO2 content over a rough time scale of 500 years to get to that
point based on current consumption rates.  For reasons inexplicable to me
the paper linked above has become the most frequently visited on my website.
It is also available though the US Department of Energy Office of Scientific
and Technical Information (OSTI). Maybe that is relevant. 

 

That paper and an updated, un-illustrated peer reviewed version linked to
this site <http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org/pendergastcarbon>  estimates
that humans control about 24 billion tonnes annually of carbon circulated
via growing plants. At the time the paper was written fossil fuel emissions
were just over 6 billion tonnes.  These numbers suggest it could be possible
to offset and even reverse the growth of atmospheric carbon dioxide by
turning a sizeable fraction of that material to the terra preta concept.
Lehmann, Gaunt and Rondon have published a more detailed paper abstracted on
this site which suggests char production could be 5.5 to 9.5 billion
tonnes/year a century from now. 

 

In view of growing atmospheric greenhouse gas concentration over the past
twenty years of climate concern, and the current state of haggling over the
issue, I'm not optimistic that methodology and policy established to date
will have any effect. The promise of soil building inherent in the terra
preta concept might be more attractive to humanity than generally vague and
possibly incorrect models of climate change.  I'm hoping terra preta
enthusiasts keep their eyes on the ball and clearly and convincingly
demonstrate a role in enhancing soil productivity. 

 

Duane

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: lou gold [mailto:lou.gold at gmail.com] 
Sent: December 8, 2007 11:49 AM
To: still.thinking at computare.org
Cc: Sean K. Barry; Terrapreta
Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Catalyst: Carbon Bigfoot

 

Hi Duane,

I am seeing the logic of your perspective. I believe that yours is one of
the valid considerations. I also believe that terra preta somehow carries
the seeds of a new awareness that is now emerging and offering the
opportunity to transcend the dilemmas. 
This new awareness is based on the notion of a reciprocal harmony between
large populations and the earth. At first, the new consciousness of
reciprocity will have to sit  (uncomfortably)  with the past consciousness
of extraction. This generates tension that will stimulate further
innovation, etc. Basically, we are entering a process of building a carbon
economy and ecology. I for one do not know what role fossil fuels will play
in the longer-term future but right now they are going to continue as a
significant factor. 

The only thing that I question is your assertion that we must continue to
generate CO2 in order to feed the plants. It seems to me that there is a
huge reservoir already available. Do you know of any studies or models that
might suggest when CO2 will "peak" and require replacement inputs, perhaps
from fossil fuels? 

hugs,   

lou

On Dec 8, 2007 2:30 PM, Duane Pendergast <still.thinking at computare.org>
wrote:

Morning Sean,

 

My response to you was totally sincere. After 20 years trying to follow the
climate issue, I'm becoming more and more skeptical about the dire claims
made in the name of climate change due to greenhouse gas emissions. 

 

I was just trying to point out, that if terra preta lives up to expectations
on this site, there is potential for excess removal of CO2 from the
atmosphere. Danny Day has suggested that we are seeing the "stumbling steps
of a brand new species evolved to stabilize this recurring imbalance" with
reference to the drastic cycling between ice ages seen in the long term
climate change record. He sees the burgeoning human population, including
some three billion now impoverished farmers, as key to planetary survival
and prosperity. The ultimate outcome of successful demonstration of terra
preta benefits could thus be an incentive to geo-agricultural engineering on
a massive scale. That vision will be self limiting if plant growth is
suppressed by a shortage of atmospheric carbon dioxide. A next logical step
for humanity could be to continue to transfer carbon from fossil fuel into
the soil.

 

There is plenty of scope for climate change ballyhoo at the UNFCCC meeting
in Bali and in the media. Kevin Chisholm's gentle suggestion in his response
to your post that the list focus on demonstrating the efficacy of the terra
preta concept has considerable merit.

 

Duane

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Sean K. Barry [mailto:sean.barry at juno.com] 
Sent: December 7, 2007 9:51 PM 
To: still.thinking at computare.org; 'lou gold'
Cc: 'Terrapreta'
Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Catalyst: Carbon Bigfoot

 

Hi Duane,

 

WHAT?!  Is your response to my post "tongue in cheek"?  I hope so ... or you
really do not see things the way I do, either.  Burning coal and oil has to
slow way down, even to stopping altogether.  If coal energy is required,
then it has to change over to "clean" coal, without the release of CO2
emissions.

 

 


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http://lougold.blogspot.com/
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