[Terrapreta] Do BECs threaten forests?

[lou gold]

Technically, the savanna is called cerrado in Brazil. It is the second
largest biome and 50-70% has been converted to crops or cows in the last 30
years. The cerrado is part grassland, part transitional forest. Much of Mato
Grosso (the stage for my last 2 blog posts) is in large part cerrado
transistional forest located in what is known as the "legal Amazon'
(political lines on a map). What is generally called "unused" is range used
by cows after clearing. When these lands are used for crops, the ranchers
and loggers go take more forest. The amount of land planted is a function of
global demand. Bio-fuels are increasing the demand for more planting.

See how it goes?  The forest, that is?






On Nov 7, 2007 3:34 PM, Sean K. Barry <sean.barry at juno.com> wrote:

>  Hi Lou,
>
> Brazil has millions of acres of Savanna, which is being converted into
> farmland faster than forestland is being converted?
>
> SKB
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* lou gold <lou.gold at gmail.com>
> *To:* Sean K. Barry <sean.barry at juno.com>
> *Cc:* Terrapreta <terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, November 07, 2007 11:12 AM
> *Subject:* Re: [Terrapreta] Do BECs threaten forests?
>
> You bet Sean,
>
> At that is the opportunity seen from the US midwest, where the trees have
> been cleared in order to plant the crops that generate the waste that can
> now be used. HOORAY!!!!!
>
> Now, think of it now a developing country looking at forests that seem of
> little use. This is the rub, and the challenge. How to get the developing
> world to NOT follow the path blazed by US-style agriculture.
>
> I just wrote about it here
> http://lougold.blogspot.com/2007/11/soy-in-amazon-pat-roberts-writing-in_06.html
>
> and here
> http://lougold.blogspot.com/2007/11/us-ethanol-subsidies-help-fuel-range_8749.html
>
> Now I'm trying to understand if BECs will feed more deforestation or
> prevent it in Brazil.
>
> What do you think might happen?
>
> I dunno, that's why I'm asking.
>
> lou
>
>
>
> On Nov 7, 2007 2:56 PM, Sean K. Barry <sean.barry at juno.com > wrote:
>
> >  Hi Lou,
> >
> > There is no reason to use forest trees!  Use renewable perennial plant
> > growth that dies off seasonally.  Make charcoal out of biomass that grows
> > and dies every year.  Make charcoal out of agricultural wastes.
> >
> > SKB
> >
> >  ----- Original Message -----
> > *From:* lou gold <lou.gold at gmail.com>
> > *To:* Terrapreta <terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>
> > *Sent:* Wednesday, November 07, 2007 12:52 AM
> > *Subject:* [Terrapreta] Do BECs threaten forests?
> >
> >  Do BECs threaten forests?
> >
> >   http://news.mongabay.com/2007/1106-carbon-negative_becs.html
> >
> > (11/06/2007) A proposed mechanism for generating carbon-negative
> > bioenergy -- an energy source that reduces atmospheric carbon dioxide levels
> > -- could drive large-scale deforestation in the tropics and undermine
> > efforts to conserve forests for carbon offsets says a biofuel expert,
> > Laurens Rademakers.
> >
> > Reactions?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > lou
> > _______________________________________________
> > Terrapreta mailing list
> > Terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
> > http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/biochar/
> >
> > http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org
> > http://info.bioenergylists.org
> >
> >
>
>
> --
> 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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