The Biochar Solution: Carbon Farming and Climate Change

by Albert Bates

How the dirt below our feet can save us from extinction. Conventional agriculture destroys our soils, pollutes our water and is a major contributor to climate change. What if our agricultural practices could stabilize, or even reverse these trends? The Biochar Solution explores the dual function of biochar as a carbon-negative energy source and a potent soil-builder. Created by burning biomass in the absence of oxygen, this material has the unique ability to hold carbon back from the atmosphere while simultaneously enhancing soil fertility. Author Albert Bates traces the evolution of this extraordinary substance from the ancient black soils of the Amazon to its reappearance as a modern carbon sequestration strategy.Combining practical techniques for the production and use of biochar with an overview of the development and future of carbon farming, The Biochar Solution describes how a new agricultural revolution can reduce net greenhouse gas emissions to below zero while increasing world food reserves and creating energy from biomass wastes. Biochar and carbon farming fossil fuels inputs into our food system Bring new life to desert landscapes Filter and purify drinking water Help build carbon-negative homes, communities and nations. Biochar is not without dangers if unregulated, and it is not a panacea, but if it fulfills its promise of taking us back from the brink of irreversible climate change, it may well be the most important discovery in human history.

Genres: Ecology, Gardening, Science, Nonfiction, Green, Agriculture, Food

208 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you are familiar with biochar and its purpose, then this book may be wonderful. However, I picked it off a recommended list of permaculture books with almost no previous knowledge. The author presupposes a basic understanding of biochar that I did not have and from there runs into all kinds of rabbit trails about ancient civilizations, grazing animals and cookstoves (among other things) and finally loosely brings them together somewhere around page 130. I didn't really get the book until about page 170 where the author quotes a passage from a conference on reducing carbon emissions. This is when things finally fell into place with me and some of my most basic questions were answered (such as why is biochar particularly good at sequestering carbon?). The author could have written a two page paper quoting that section and then listing a few bullet points afterward.

I also have to say that there are some fairly illogical conclusions (or non-conclusions?) in this book. For instance, on of the rabbit trails discusses how grazing animals are necessary to build good soils and maintain prairie grass. However, today America's prairies have been plowed under to grow grains that we feed to animals in intensive farming systems. These systems are notorious for releasing tons of carbon into our atmosphere. The author concludes that we need more grazing animals to maintain native soils, but how can we do this when our system of raising animals releases so much carbon? Um.. aren't we missing something here? It has been speculated elsewhere that if we stop growing grains in the US and allow the land to go back to its native prairie and freeing up millions of acres of land for grazing animals that we will actually create a carbon sink. The author doesn't discuss this at all, possibly because there is no need for biochar in this solution. It just seemed like a very illogical and somewhat narrow-minded (not to mention completely off topic) conclusion by the author.

Unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn about biochar.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

While BioChar has some issues due to it's susceptibility towards not being used correctly, if it is done right, and if it doesn't get over-used, it has a true place in the way humans can possibly reverse the damage that has been done by over-using fossil fuels. What I liked about this book was the way Mr. Bates looked at it from many different ways. It does get technical, and I had to skim over some parts, but that only adds to the completeness of his survey.

[Bob Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Albert Bates thinks that a carefully monitored program of producing biochar and then using to revitalize damaged soils can sequester a lot of carbon, feed many more people and be part of repairing our atmosphere to prevent runaway climate change. I think he made a convincing case.

[Joe Beeson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Supposed to tell the story of Biochar and its implications for carbon and climate. Instead just jumps around, lots of aggressive claims not founded in science, and little to no explanation on many of these . "we must limit our consumption of meat and dairy" fails to even touch on the nuance of this, never discusses regenerative livestock

[Felix Dörpmund · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent intro that imo lacks depth and scientific underpinning

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it while staying at a friends house. Got half way through and don't know when I'll ever get the opportunity to read the rest. Let's just call it done.

Very engaging in it's writing style with interesting historical notes to accompany the detailed technical parts. Maybe tough for some people to follow when it gets into the chemistry/biology/physics side, but it's not all that intense. Biochar is something that I would love to try when/if I have my own farm and I would definitely refer to this book for help in implementing the method.

[Chuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very complete perspective on biochar that gives a great historical background and in-depth coverage on all aspects of production and how it can fit into dealing with our global climate issues.

[Cris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I find the author's writing a little disjointed, I can't help but give this a 5 star rating. I can't stop thinking about the ways I can go about helping to save the world!