Building the Future from the Ground Up

November 2021 Newsbriefs

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https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/555903050/advanced-resilient-biocarbon-secures-credit-enhancement-for-500-million-climate-bond
New York Company Advanced Resilient Biocarbon Secures Credit Enhancement for €500 million Climate Bond. ARB, a provider of scalable Pyrogenic Carbon Capture and Storage (PyCCS) solutions, announces its first pre-issuance credit enhancement guarantor toward issuing a 500 million Euro Climate Bond.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/11/211108161422.htm
Biochar Defeats Greenhouse Gas Nitrous Oxide.  Microorganisms in the soil give off nitrous oxide as a byproduct as they cycle nitrogen. Nitrogen stimulates nitrous oxide production, so adding nitrogen fertilizers to soil tends to result in more emissions. Application of biochar to fields may help to limit nitrous oxide emissions.

 

https://abc30.com/california-methane-research-climate-change-global-warming-biochar/11191921/
Biochar Knocks Out Methane Too. An aerial survey by the NASA-Jet Propulsion lab in Pasadena captured images of escaping methane plumes from California dairies and composting facilities. Researchers are experimenting with adding biochar to these piles to arrest these greenhouse gas emissions.


Views from NASA's tool that provides methane data for the state of California.

https://californianewstimes.com/almond-shells-converted-into-renewable-resources-by-central-valley-business/559082/
An Almond Shell Two-fer. Corigen, based in California’s Central Valley, is producing both biochar and pyroligneous acid (a growth stimulating chemical for agriculture) from pyrolysis of almond shells. The project gains urgency as California moves to phase out open burning to dispose of ag waste.

https://mendovoice.com/2021/11/researchers-test-tiny-machine-with-global-potential-in-jackson-demonstration-state-forest/
Researchers Test Tiny Machine with Global Potential in California. The startup Takachar, based out of both India and the Bay Area, is testing a prototype for a small-scale, low-cost portable system that can turn forestry slash and agricultural residue like rice husks into biochar.

https://mendovoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/WhatsApp-Image-2021-10-12-at-19.25.07-1170x878.jpeg
Takachar machine at work in Jackson State Forest

https://www.treehugger.com/innovative-company-tackle-wildfires-drought-california-5208156
Company Helps Tackle Wildfires and Drought in California. VGRID takes on the challenge with their biochar-producing biomass energy generator providing multiple benefits to farms. Fred Leyendekker, farmer at South Corner Dairy, says, "VGRID not only reduces my energy costs but we have seen a reduction in mortality and disease since we started feeding carbon to our calves."

https://www.seeleylake.com/story/2021/10/21/news/betting-on-biochar-in-bonner/7915.html
Montana Biochar Project is a Dream Come True. Forester David Atkins has won the support of a large group of organizations for the Twin-Gold Creek Project that will protect homes from wildfire while producing biochar to help make agricultural land more resilient to drought. For a forester and soil scientist, this is a dream come true.

https://www.seeleylake.com/home/cms_data/dfault/photos/stories/id/1/5/7915/.TEMP/s_bottomTEMP425x425-6439.jpeg
Biochar produced from wildfire prevention thinning using low tech kilns.

https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=8697
Montana Invests in Biochar Infrastructure. Senator Jon Tester reports that the recently passed federal infrastructure bill will provide $200 million to remove flammable vegetation for the creation of biochar or innovative wood products, with a note for agencies to consider working with youth and conservation corps, and engage with Tribes and veterans.

https://www.waste360.com/recycling/evaluating-opportunities-resource-recovery-waste-management
Pyrolysis for Resource Recovery in Waste Management. Pyrolysis is a promising waste management strategy for the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) that recognizes the value of this waste stream. Pyrolysis offers an opportunity to improve energy production from waste over the current practice of methane capture from landfills.

pyrolysis
Researchers at University of Colorado Boulder are using life cycle assessment (LCA) to understand the environmental impacts of OFMSW pyrolysis.

https://www.newscientist.com/lastword/mg25133571-300-what-is-the-most-eco-friendly-way-to-deal-with-our-bodies-after-death/
Char Me, Don’t Burn Me. Options for a greener end-of-life could include pyrolysis as an alternative to highly polluting cremation or embalming chemicals. “I hope that, after my funeral, when my biocharred body has cooled down, my friends will take some charcoal home to use in their gardens. The biochar will help draw down carbon from the atmosphere and build soil health.”

Beautiful summer view of a row of gravestones decorated with colorful flowers at a well-cared cemetery in Sweden; Shutterstock ID 1942445344; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -
Is biochar the most environmentally friendly way to deal with our bodies after death?