[Terrapreta] why we must relate to cap and trade

[Sean K. Barry]

Hi Kevin, Lou,

I do respect your thrust here, that the use and adoption of Terra Preta as a widespread practice, will require for many people, that it show clear signs of being both agriculturally beneficial and economically viable.  When I can generate any valuable data I will endeavor to help you fill in some of the blanks on your spreadsheet, Kevin.  I believe you are correct too, about the need for "numerical metrics".

Folke Gunthur sent an E-MAIL posting to this list last night with the subject line ...

Re: [Terrapreta] Atmospheric CO2 Hits 387ppm

I posted a response to this list about Folke's posting, pointing out the implications of this rather alarming development in the observational data.
NO ONE ELSE responded and now it is just a lame, dead-end thread between Folke and I, I guess ...

I have said this repeatedly on this list ...

1) WE MUST STOP THE CONSUMPTION OF FOSSIL CARBON FUELS and the subsequent emission of CO2 into the atmosphere.  WE MUST DO THIS as soon as possible (preferably nearly immediately, within a very few years).

2) WE WILL NEED ALSO TO BEGIN IMMEDIATELY REMOVING CO2 FROM THE ATMOSPHERE on a massive scale.

3) I know, the formation Terra Preta soils using charcoal made from biomass sources can help us do this better than just about anything else I've seen.

It is my view that the immediate ascendancy of the "rising levels of GHG problem" requires a very active and immediate program to abate it.  DO IT NOW.  DON'T WAIT!  I also think this overrides the concerns of "metrics" about agricultural benefits and/or the economics of Terra Preta formation.  I do not mean that these are not valid concerns, nor that we should not do anything to address them.  They are important in the long scheme, which includes the restorative implications of TP on soil health, agricultural productivity, food health, population health, and overall health of the planet and Nature.

What I am at, though, is triage.  We need to amputate the fossil fuel industry and we MUST STOP all of the bleeding of carbon into the atmosphere or all will be lost!  Unless we act soon and significantly, we may never have the chance to heal this Earth with ministrations of well formed Terra Preta Nova soils.

I know my prescription is SO VERY DIFFICULT to swallow or even see how we can undertake it.  It is absolutely necessary, though.

Please help me!?  Everyone?  Please let us find a way to ramp up fast on forming Terra Preta and solve the details as we go.  We cannot afford the slow deliberate approach anymore.

Regards,

SKB

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Kevin Chisholm<mailto:kchisholm at ca.inter.net> 
  To: lou gold<mailto:lou.gold at gmail.com> 
  Cc: Sean K. Barry<mailto:sean.barry at juno.com> ; Terrapreta<mailto:Terrapreta at bioenergylists.org> 
  Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 12:28 PM
  Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] why we must relate to cap and trade


  Dear Lou

  lou gold wrote:
  > Sean,
  > ...del...
  > But my point was not to discuss policy alternatives but to point out 
  > that right now the biochar movement does not have the power of 
  > supportive metrics. I hope that this can be corrected.

  Right on! We need the metrics... how much does char cost for a given 
  benefit...  If we had some good numerology, showing that people could 
  actually make money by adding charcoal to the soil, then people could 
  indeed become enthused about Biochar and "New Terra Preta."

  The spreadsheet that I posted at

  http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org/chisholm051308<http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org/chisholm051308>

  gives one a perspective on how much or how little money we are talking about. 

  Can you put in two test plots, one with biochar, and one without, and report back with your results in teh Fall?

  Real numbers such as you can provide will be of great help in promoting Biochar, if indeed it is sensible to use biochar as an agricultural investment.

  Best wishes,

  Kevin

  >
  > hugs,
  >
  > lou
  >



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