If you’ve never heard of biochar, you’re not alone. However, it’s well-respected as a means of mitigating climate change. Biochar is a charcoal-like substance produced by decomposing biomass (agricultural and forestry wastes) through the process of pyrolysis (burning in an oxygen-limited environment).
Joy Reo hosts this presentation by Kathleen Draper and Michael Garjian about biochar and biochar production and its use to:
• Sequester carbon
• Improve soil quality (and therefore reduce the need for chemical fertilizers)
• Reduce the need for irrigation
• Remediate water pollution
• Produce valuable by-products, such as liquid fuels like bio-oil, industrial chemicals, or syngas (synthetic gas).
Presenters:
Kathleen Draper, the Board Chair of the International Biochar Initiative and Vice Chair of the U.S. Biochar Initiative. Kathleen is the owner of Finger Lakes Biochar which is focused on biochar activities in New York State and the US Director of the Ithaka Institute for Carbon Intelligence which has a global focus for biochar activities. She is a co-author of BURN: Using Fire to Cool the Earth as well as Terra Preta: How the World’s Most Fertile Soil Can Help Reverse Climate Change and Reduce World Hunger.
Michael Garjian is a Massachusetts-based inventor/entrepreneur holding ten worldwide patents in energy related technologies. He has been noted for his work in alternative energy and community economic development. His current efforts are to introduce his patented CarbonStar biochar and biofuel production system to help achieve social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
