Erich

The Biochar Revolution http://biochar-books.com/The_Biochar_Revolution Review: The Biochar Revolution: Transforming Agriculture and Environment, ed. Paul Taylor The General rule covering emerging technology, that the "Latest book is the best book" is obfuscated by both the near simultaneous publication of The Biochar Revolution with The Biochar Solution and the complementary content of each work. The Biochar Revolution reads like a encyclopedic companion and testimonial. Dr. Taylor has the best people in academia & industry, as well as the grassroots, hands-on journeymen, as authors. Their personal travails and triumphs in development and applications of biochar soil technologies are inspiring. In the collaborative traditions of Astrophysics, Dr. Taylor's day job, these authoritative innovators allow you to view this cohesive whole system of sustainable carbon management. The Australians are years ahead in broad field trials with many crops and in addition, have conservative political support of soil carbon sequestration. Paul opens a window on their consistent findings of increased yields, nutrient efficiency and major reductions in soil green house gas emissions. Dr. Taylor has focused his cosmic perspective to the crisis our carbon based life has created with the mis-allocation of carbon. He lays out a path for carbon's re-allocation that garners high agricultural yields, biofuels, and generous climate dividends. For the backyard shade tree mechanic to the sustainable energy entrepreneur, important lessons can be learned here. Simple to complex testing of biochars and soils, biological conditioning and formulations of chars are explained along with small scale home made pyrolitic cook stoves. The attention to the menagerie of clean biomass cook stoves for the developing world is prescient of the recent state department, CDC & DOE support of the UN Global Clean Stove Initiative for 100 million stoves. Since carbon is the center of life , this work holds interest for everyone. Erich J. Knight Chairman; Markets and Business Committee 2010 US BiocharConference, at Iowa State University Kelpie Wilson, author, journalist and IBI Communications Editor has this to say about The Biochar Revolution; Review: The Biochar Revolution: Transforming Agriculture and Environment, ed. Paul Taylor I want to call this book: “Biochar, the Missing Manual.” This compendium of practical how-to articles on the art and science of biochar bridges the current gap between research and implementation of biochar systems. While basic research on the mechanisms of biochar-soil interactions proceeds at research institutions around the globe, farmers, blacksmiths, colliers and crafty inventors of all sorts have jumped into the business of biochar production and utilization. The Biochar Revolution collects the results and best practical advice that these entrepreneurs have to offer to the biochar community. In the book you will read about the challenges of designing low-emissions biochar production systems from small-scale stoves to farm-scale pyrolyzers. Another section of the book is devoted to explaining simple tests to characterize biochar and methods for conducting valid field trials. Biochar producers show how they add minerals and nutrients to maximize the effectiveness of biochar, and seasoned biochar business operators share the rudiments of their business plans including information on feedstocks, flow rates and financing. Because biochar is rooted in an ancient, proven practice, farmers feel empowered to experiment and are beginning to accumulate and document their results. But because biochar is new to science, it is not always possible to account for these results in a predictable fashion. We are fortunate to have a vibrant, grassroots movement of biochar practitioners who are so generous in sharing their results with us. When practice and theory advance to the point where they meet in the middle, then we will truly see a biochar revolution. -Kelpie Wilson, author, journalist and IBI Communications Editor

Recent NATURE STUDY; Sustainable bio char to mitigate global climate change http://www.nature.com/ncomms/journal/v1/n5/full/ncomms1053.html Not talked about in this otherwise comprehensive study are the climate and whole ecological implications of new , higher value, applications of chars. First, the in situ remediation of a vast variety of toxic agents in soils and sediments. Biochar Sorption of Contaminants; http://www.biorenew.iastate.edu/events/biochar2010/conference-agenda/agenda-overview/breakout-session-5/agriculture-forestry-soil-science-and-environment.html Dr. Lima's work; Specialized Characterization Methods for Biochar http://www.biorenew.iastate.edu/events/biochar2010/conference-agenda/agenda-overview/breakout-session-4/production-and-characterization.html And at USDA; The Ultimate Trash To Treasure: *ARS Research Turns Poultry Waste into Toxin-grabbing Char http://www.ars.usda.gov/IS/AR/archive/jul05/char0705.htm Second, the uses as a feed ration for livestock to reduce GHG emissions and increase disease resistance. Third, Recent work by C. Steiner showing a 52% reduction of NH3 loss when char is used as a composting accelerator. This will have profound value added consequences for the commercial composting industry by reduction of their GHG emissions and the sale of compost as a nitrogen fertilizer. Global Clean Stove Initutive: Another significant aspect of low cost Biomass cook stoves, that produce char, is removal of BC aerosols and no respiratory disease emissions. At Scale, replacing "Three Stone" stoves the health benefits would equal eradication of Malaria & Aids combined. The Biochar Fund : Exceptional results from biochar experiment in Cameroon The broad smiles of 1500 subsistence farmers say it all ( that, and the size of the Biochar corn root balls ) http://biocharfund.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=55&Itemid=75 State Dept. Release; 100 million clean-burning stoves in kitchens around the world. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/09/147494.htm WorldStoves in Haiti; http://www.charcoalproject.org/2010/05/a-man-a-stove-a-mission/ NSF Awards $1.6 million in grants; BREAD: Biochar Inoculants for Enabling Smallholder Agriculture http://iapnews.wordpress.com/2010/09/03/cornell-university-wins-biocharstove-research-grants/ Major Endorsements: Senator / Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar has done the most to nurse this biofuels system in his Biochar provisions in the 07 & 08 farm bill, http://www.biochar-international.org/newinformationevents/newlegislation.html NASA's Dr. James Hansen Global warming solutions paper places Biochar / Land management the central technology for carbon negative energy systems. http://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/0804/0804.1126.pdf Dr. James Lovelock (Gaia hypothesis) says Biochar is "The only hope for mankind" Charles Mann ("1491") in the Sept. National Geographic has a wonderful soils article which places Terra Preta / Biochar soils center stage. http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/09/soil/mann-text Al Gore got the CO2 absorption thing wrong, ( at NABC Vilsack did same), but his focus on Soil Carbon is right on; http://www.newsweek.com/id/220552/page/3 Tony Blair & Richard Branson in the UK and conservative party opposition leader John Turnbull and Abbott in Oz. Reports: 2010 US Biochar Conference; For those looking for an overview of biochar and its benefits, These authors have done a very nice job of distilling a great deal of information about biochar and applying it to the US context: US Focused Biochar report: Assessment of Biochar's Benefits for the USA http://www.biochar-us.org/pdf%20files/biochar_report_lowres.pdf This PNAS report (by a Nobel lariat) should cause the Royal Society to rethink their report that criticized Biochar systems sequestration potential; Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Reducing abrupt climate change risk using the Montreal Protocol and other regulatory actions to complement cuts in CO2 emissions http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2009/10/09/0902568106.full.pdf+html Research: NASA’s Space Archaeology; $364K Terra Preta Program http://archaeoloyexcavations.blogspot.com/2010/08/time-traveling-via-satellite.html

Dear Char Colleagues, What a whirlwind at ISU, What a lab that the $22M of Conoco oil money built, and the 40 Acres of field trials, just overwhelming. My opening plenary was well received, particularly the closing humorist sermon on a Carbon Based Religion. The plenary speakers I recruited were the talk of the conference; Gary DeLong on Soil Carbon Standards, and Laurens Rademakers of the Biochar Fund http://biocharfund.org/ (his Talk not posted yet) My failures included; Not getting Kyle Howell to speak on WalMart's Sustainability Index, or getting NASA-JPL to speak on Remote carbon sensor technology. It was exciting to meet and inspiring to talk with people like Josiah Hunt and Trip Allen. Two men with the energy and knowledge to drive this market. Josiah, a passionate compost driven landscaper, (like myself) , His curiosity for the mysteries of the rhizosphere is palatable and lead to collaborations with U of H Microbiologist & agronomist. Trip, with equal energy and a clear whole ecology vision for southern California has "Biocharm" on the market; http://www.biocharm.com/ Jeff Wallin shared a totally integrated ecological system for a Mahogany tree Farm / Pyrolysis plant / Tropical Ag & live stock Farm. Including Char feed rations, Small Hydro Power and Aquaculture. The most holistic thinking I have seen for any Biochar project. Kelpie Wilson; Biochar educator par excellence. Every Science teacher in the country should have been there. Laurens Rademakers; Biochar King of the Congo; ISU was so wise to have Laurens as the closing plenary speaker. So evocative, I left the hall tears streaming down my face thinking about the exponential growth potential across Africa. At the Iowa House, late into the evenings, spending time telling stories of his and my experiences in Africa, I found a most brilliant man. A culturally comprehensive understanding of the continent, His solutions cascade like rain and will fill each Hamlet & Community in turn. Bottom line; He doubled the income for thousands of subsistence farmers! He gave me a hard time one night, in passing, about my superlative words on some of my postings where I said It was only time between him and a Nobel. Well, I recanted then, but after his powerfully moving presentation, Now I reinstate it. Every mile saved walking for deforesting wood, Evey tree saved and every clean breath taken, lightens the load and helps to preserve this society and wonderful cultural legacy of pastoral & farming community. On my reflection of our discussions, I would add some other titles; "Whole Congo Ecologist", or "Socioeconomic Shaman" healing soil and self-esteem in the infrastructural chaos of Congo, or "Char Czar" We amend, We seed, We rule. The next step is for village Pyrolitic electricity and Bio-Oil river transport. Presentations at ISU; http://www.biorenew.iastate.edu/events/biochar2010/conference-agenda/agenda-overview.html, and click on the title of the session you want. Thanks for all of your efforts. Erich Erich J. Knight Chairman; Markets and Business Review Committee US BiocharConference, at Iowa State University, June 27-30 http://www.biorenew.iastate.edu/events/biochar2010.html

To me, in the long run, the final arbiter / accountancy / measure of sustainability will be soil carbon content. Once this royal road is constructed, traffic cops ( Carbon Board ) in place, the truth of land-management and Biochar systems will be self-evident. A dream I've had for years is to base the coming carbon economy firmly on the foundation of top soils. My read of the agronomic history of civilization shows that the Kayopo Amazon Indians and the Egyptians were the only ones to maintain fertility for the long haul, millennium scales. Egypt has now forsaken their geologic advantage by building the Aswan dam, and are stuck, with the rest of us, in the soil C mining, NPK rat race to the bottom. The meta-analysis of Syn-N and soil Carbon content show our dilemma; http://jeq.scijournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/36/6/1821 and http://jeq.scijournals.org/cgi/content/full/38/6/2295 The Ag Soil Carbon standard is in final review by the AMS branch at USDA. Contact Gary Delong . http://www.novecta.com 515-334-7305 Read over the work so far; http://www.novecta.com/documents/Carbon-Standard.pdf In my efforts to have Biochar's potential included, I have recruited several to join the list, briefed the entire committee about char when issues concerning N2O & CH4 soil GHG emissions were raised, fully briefed a couple of the 50 members when they replied individually to my "Reply all" briefs. The members cover the full spectrum of Ag interest. With the Obama administration funding an inter-departmental climate effort of NASA, NOAA, USDA, & EPA, and now even the CIA is opening the data coffers, then soil carbon sensors may be less than 5 years away. I'm told by the Jet Propulsion Lab mission specialists responsible for the suite of earth sensing satellites, that they will be reading soil carbon using multiple proxy measurements in 5 years. Reading soil moisture to 3 foot dept in two year with SMAP, Reading GHG emissions and biomass from the tree tops down next year when the Orbital Carbon Observer (OCO, get it:) is rebooted, to 1 Ha resolution and don't even ask about the various spectrometric; lasers, UV, IR, lidars, temperature sensors, interferometry etc. Then, any farmer can click "Google Carbon maps" to see the soil carbon accounted to his good work, a level playing field to be a soil sink banker. The Moon Pie in the sky funding should be served to JPL Since we have filled the air , filling the seas to full, Soil is the Only Beneficial place left. Carbon to the Soil, the only ubiquitous and economic place to put it. Hope to see you at ISU for the 2010 US Biochar Conference Dr. Robert Brown <rcbrown@iastate.edu>, and the team in Ames Iowa are planing the next national biochar conference. The Conference will be June 27-30 in Ames Iowa Hosted by Iowa State University. http://www.biorenew.iastate.edu/events/biochar2010.html WorldStoves in Haiti; http://www.charcoalproject.org/2010/05/a-man-a-stove-a-mission/ and The Biochar Fund deserves your attention and support. Exceptional results from biochar experiment in Cameroon http://scitizen.com/screens/blogPage/viewBlog/sw_viewBlog.php?idTheme=14&idContribution=3011 NSF Awards $600K to BREAD: Biochar Inoculants for Enabling Smallholder Agriculture http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward.do?AwardNumber=0965336 Thanks for your efforts. Erich Erich J. Knight Chairman; Markets and Business Opportunities Review Committee US BiocharConference, at Iowa State University, June 27-30 http://www.biorenew.iastate.edu/events/biochar2010.html EcoTechnologies Group Technical Adviser http://www.ecotechnologies.com/index.html Shenandoah Gardens (Owner) 1047 Dave Barry Rd. McGaheysville, VA. 22840 540 289 9750 Co-Administrator, Biochar Data base & Discussion list TP-REPP http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org/?q=node

Soil Carbon Dream & Soil Carbon Commandments A major focus of my work is coming to fruition, a soil C Standard. The next step in this process will be nominations for elections to seat a Soil C Board, a supreme court, if you will, under USDA / EPA oversight, to validate / certify practice & protocols for systems that build soil C. A dream I've had for years ( see Paraphrased speech below ) to base the coming carbon economy firmly on the foundation of top soils. My read of the agronomic history of civilization shows that the Kayopo Amazon Indians and the Egyptians were the only ones to maintain fertility for the long haul, millennium scales. Egypt has now forsaken their geologic advantage by building the Aswan dam, and are stuck, with the rest of us, in the soil C mining, NPK rat race to the bottom. The Ag Soil Carbon standard is in the second phase of review by the AMS / ARC branch at USDA. After initial review, approval is expected in this month. Contact Gary Delong . Novecta - Charting a New Direction in Agriculture 515-334-7305 office Read over the work so far; http://www.novecta.com/documents/Carbon-Standard.pdf In my efforts to have Biochar included I have recruited several to join the list, briefed the entire committee about char when issues concerning N2O & CH4 soil GHG emissions were raised, fully briefed a couple members when they replied individually to my "Reply all" briefs. Erich J. Knight Chairman; Markets and Business Opportunities Review Committee US BiocharConference, at Iowa State University, June 27-30 2010 U.S. Biochar Initiative Conference -- Welcome/home EcoTechnologies Group Technical Adviser EcoTechnologies Group Shenandoah Gardens (Owner) 1047 Dave Barry Rd. McGaheysville, VA. 22840 540 289 9750 Co-Administrator, Biochar Data base & Discussion list TP-REPP The Terra Preta Prayer Our Carbon who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name By kingdom come, thy will be done, IN the Earth to make it Heaven. It will give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our atmospheric trespasses As we forgive those who trespass against the Kyoto protocols And lead us not into fossil fuel temptation, but deliver us from it's evil low as we walk through the valley of the shadow of Global Warming, I will feel no evil, your Bio-fuels and fertile microbes will comfort me, For thine is the fungal kingdom, and the microbe power, and the Sequestration Glory, For ever and ever (well at least 2000 years) AMEN Your Chartarian, Erich Soil Carbon Commandments: 1) Thou shalt not have any other Molecule before Me 2) Thou shall not make wrongful use of the name of Biochar, It will not acquit anyone who mis-charactorizes it's name 3) Observe the Fallow days and keep them, as Sustainability commands thou 4) Honor your Micro Flora & Fauna , as the Soil Carbon commands you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that High Soil Carbon has given you. 5) Thou shall not murder the Soil Food Web 6) Neither shall thou adulterate the Soils with Toxicity 7) Neither shall thou steal Biomass from the Soil Food Web 8) Neither shall thou bear false witness against your neighbors Biochar, or about Thy own 9) Neither shall thou covet your neighbor's Fertility 10) Neither shall thou desire your neighbor's house, or field, or Pyrolysis Reactor, or farm implements, or anything that belongs to your neighbor, as thou may Create thy Own Soil Carbon Dream I have a dream that one day we live in a nation where progress will not be judged by the production yields of our fields, but by the color of their soils and by the Carbon content of their character. I have a dream today. I have a dream that one day, a suite of earth sensing satellites will level the playing field, giving every farmer a full account of carbon he sequesters. That Soil Carbon is given as the final arbiter, the common currency, accountant and Judge of Stewardship on our lands. I have a dream today. I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made forest, the rough soils will be made fertile, and the crooked Carbon Marketeers will be made straight, and the glory of Soil Sequestration shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see a Mutually assured Sustainability. This is our hope. My apologies to Dr. King, but I think he would understand my passion Erich

I thought these update on developments of biochar soils may interest you, I'm a biochar advocate, and would like to share my efforts in research, policy and industry.(bellow) The Ag Soil Carbon standard is in the second phase of review by the ARC branch at USDA. After initial review, approval is expected in the next month. Contact Gary Delong . http://www.novecta.com 515-334-7305 office Read over the work so far; http://www.novecta.com/documents/Carbon-Standard.pdf In my efforts to have Biochar included I have recruited several to join the list, briefed the entire committee about char when issues concerning N2O & CH4 soil GHG emissions were raised, fully briefed a couple members when they replied individually to my "Reply all" briefs. Hope to see you at ISU for the 2010 US Biochar Conference Dr. Robert Brown <rcbrown@iastate.edu>, and the team in Ames Iowa are planing the next national biochar conference. The Conference will be June 27-30 in Ames Iowa Hosted by Iowa State University. I am chairman of the Markets and Business Opportunities Review Committee The Call for papers; http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/biochar/home.html The Biochar Fund deserves your attention and support. Exceptional results from biochar experiment in Cameroon http://scitizen.com/screens/blogPage/viewBlog/sw_viewBlog.php?idTheme=14&idContribution=3011 Mark my words; Given the potential for Laurens Rademaker's programs to grow exponentially, only a short time lies between This man's nomination for a Noble Prize. He recently received the Manchester prize. Thanks for your efforts. Erich Erich J. Knight Chairman; Markets and Business Opportunities Review Committee US BiocharConference, at Iowa State University, June 27-30 http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/biochar/home.html EcoTechnologies Group Technical Adviser http://www.ecotechnologies.com/index.html Shenandoah Gardens (Owner) 1047 Dave Barry Rd. McGaheysville, VA. 22840 540 289 9750 Co-Administrator, Biochar Data base & Discussion list TP-REPP Biochar Soils.....Husbandry of whole new orders & Kingdoms of life Biotic Carbon, the carbon transformed by life, should never be combusted, oxidized and destroyed. It deserves more respect, reverence even, and understanding to use it back to the soil where 2/3 of excess atmospheric carbon originally came from. We all know we are carbon-centered life, we seldom think about the complex web of recycled bio-carbon which is the true center of life. A cradle to cradle, mutually co-evolved biosphere reaching into every crack and crevice on Earth. It's hard for most to revere microbes and fungus, but from our toes to our gums (onward), their balanced ecology is our health. The greater earth and soils are just as dependent, at much longer time scales. Our farming for over 10,000 years has been responsible for 2/3rds of our excess greenhouse gases. This soil carbon, converted to carbon dioxide, Methane & Nitrous oxide began a slow stable warming that now accelerates with burning of fossil fuel. Agriculture allowed our cultural accent and Agriculture will now prevent our descent. Wise Land management; Organic farming and afforestation can build back our soil carbon, Biochar allows the soil food web to build much more recalcitrant organic carbon, ( living biomass & Glomalins) in addition to the carbon in the biochar. Biochar, the modern version of an ancient Amazonian agricultural practice called Terra Preta (black earth, TP), is gaining widespread credibility as a way to address world hunger, climate change, rural poverty, deforestation, and energy shortages… SIMULTANEOUSLY! Modern Pyrolysis of biomass is a process for Carbon Negative Bio fuels, massive Carbon sequestration, 80%-90% Lower Methane & N2O soil emissions, and 2X Fertility Too. Every 1 ton of Biomass yields 1/3 ton Charcoal for soil Sequestration (= to 1 Ton CO2e) + Bio-Gas & Bio-oil fuels = to 1MWh exported electricity, so is a totally virtuous, carbon negative energy cycle. Biochar viewed as soil Infrastructure; The old saw; "Feed the Soil Not the Plants" becomes; "Feed, Cloth and House the Soil, utilities included !". Free Carbon Condominiums with carboxyl group fats in the pantry and hydroxyl alcohol in the mini bar. Build it and the Wee-Beasties will come. Microbes like to sit down when they eat. By setting this table we expand husbandry to whole new orders & Kingdoms of life. This is what I try to get across to Farmers, as to how I feel about the act of returning carbon to the soil. An act of penitence and thankfulness for the civilization we have created. Farmers are the Soil Sink Bankers, once carbon has a price, they will be laughing all the way to it. Unlike CCS which only reduces emissions, biochar systems draw down CO2 every energy cycle, closing a circle back to support the soil food web. The photosynthetic "capture" collectors are up and running, the "storage" sink is in operation just under our feet. Pyrolysis conversion plants are the only infrastructure we need to build out. Legislation: Senator Baucus is co-sponsoring a bill along with Senator Tester (D-MT) called WE CHAR. Water Efficiency via Carbon Harvesting and Restoration Act! It focuses on promoting biochar technology to address invasive species and forest biomass. It includes grants and loans for biochar market research and development, biochar characterization and environmental analyses. It directs USDI and USDA to provide loan guarantees for biochar technologies and on-the-ground production with an emphasis on biomass from public lands. And the USGS is to do biomas availability assessments. WashingtonWatch.com - S. 1713, The Water Efficiency via Carbon Harvesting and Restoration (WECHAR) Act of 2009 Individual and groups can show support for WECHAR by signing online at: http://www.biocharmatters.org/ The Clean Energy Partnerships Act of 2009 The bill is designed to ensure that any US domestic cap-and-trade bill provides maximum incentives and opportunities for the US agricultural and forestry sectors to provide high-quality offsets and GHG emissions reductions for credit or financial incentives. Carbon offsets play a critical role in keeping the costs of a cap-and-trade program low for society as well as for capped sectors and entities, while providing valuable emissions reductions and income generation opportunities for the agricultural sector. The bill specifically identifies biochar production and use as eligible for offset credits, and identifies biochar as a high priority for USDA R&D, with funding authorized by the bill. To read the full text of the bill, go to: http://www.biochar-international.org/sites/default/files/END09F94.pdf. Biochar systems for Biofuels and soil carbon sequestration are so basically conservative in nature it is a shame that republicans have not seized it as a central environmental policy plank as the conservatives in Australia have; Carbon sequestration without Taxes. Major Endorsements: Senator / Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar has done the most to nurse this biofuels system in his Biochar provisions in the 07 & 08 farm bill, http://www.biochar-international.org/newinformationevents/newlegislation.html NASA's Dr. James Hansen Global warming solutions paper places Biochar / Land management the central technology for carbon negative energy systems. http://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/0804/0804.1126.pdf Dr. James Lovelock (Gaia hypothesis) says Biochar is "The only hope for mankind" Charles Mann ("1491") in the Sept. National Geographic has a wonderful soils article which places Terra Preta / Biochar soils center stage. http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/09/soil/mann-text Al Gore got the CO2 absorption thing wrong, ( at NABC Vilsack did same), but his focus on Soil Carbon is right on; http://www.newsweek.com/id/220552/page/3 Tony Blair & Richard Branson in the UK and conservative party opposition leader John Turnbull in Oz. Research: This is the finest explanation I have read on the process of biochar testing. Hugh lays it out like medical triage to extract the data most needed for soil carbon sequestration. A triage for all levels of competence, the Para-Medic Gardener to the Surgeon Chem-Engineer. http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org/Characterizing_Biochars The Ozzie's for 5 years now in field studies The future of biochar - Project Rainbow Bee Eater http://www.sciencealert.com.au/features/20090211-20142.html The Japanese have been at it dacades: Japan Biochar Association ; http://www.geocities.jp/yasizato/pioneer.htm UK Biochar Research Centre http://www.geos.ed.ac.uk/sccs/biochar/ Virginia Tech is in their 4 th year with the Carbon Char Group's "CharGrow" formulated bagged product. An idea whose time has come | Carbon Char Group He said the 2008 trials at Virginia Tech showed a 46% increase in yield of tomato transplants grown with just 2 - 5 cups (2 - 5%) "CharGrow" per cubic foot of growing medium. http://www.carbonchar.com/plant-performance Dr. Rory Maguire, In first year with Poultry litter char USDA in their 2 nd year; "Novak, Jeff" <Jeff.Novak@ars.usda.gov>, & "david laird" <david.laird@ars.usda.gov>, There are dozens soil researchers on the subject now at USDA-ARS. and many studies at The ASA-CSSA-SSSA joint meeting; http://a-c-s.confex.com/crops/2009am/webprogram/Session5675.html Nikolaus has been at it 4 years. Nikolaus Foidl, His current work with aspirin is Amazing in Maize, 250% yield gains, 15 cobs per plant; http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org/content/trials-maize-reactivating-dormant-genes-using-high-doses-salicylic-acid-and-charcoal My 09 field trials with the Rodale Institute & JMU ; Alterna Biocarbon and Cowboy Charcoal Virginia field trials '09 http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org/node/1408 Most recent studies out; Imperial College test, This work in temperate soils gives data from which one can calculate savings on fertilizer use, which is expected to be ongoing with no additional soil amending. http://www.iop.org/EJ/article/1755-1315/6/37/372052/ees9_6_372052.pdf?request-id=22fb1902-1c23-4db8-8801-2be7e2f3ce1b The BlueLeaf Inc./ Dynamotive study are exciting results given how far north the site is,and the low application rates. I suspect, as we saw with the Imperial College test, the yield benefits seem to decrease the cooler the climate. The study showed infiltration rates for moisture are almost double. The lower leaf temperatures puzzles me however, I thought around 21C was optimum for photosynthesis. BlueLeaf Inc. and Dynamotive Announce Biochar Test Results CQuest Biochar Enriched Plots Yield Crop Increase Ranging From Six to Seventeen Percent vs. Control Plots http://www.usetdas.com/TDAS/NewsArticle.aspx?NewsID=13603 The full study at Dynomotives site; http://www.dynamotive.com/wp-content/themes/dynamotive/pdf/BlueLeaf_Biochar_Field_Trial_2008.pdf Reports: This PNAS report (by a Nobel lariat) should cause the Royal Society to rethink their report that criticized Biochar systems sequestration potential; Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Reducing abrupt climate change risk using the Montreal Protocol and other regulatory actions to complement cuts in CO2 emissions http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2009/10/09/0902568106.full.pdf+html United Nations Environment Programme, Climate Change Science Compendium 2009 http://www.unep.org/compendium2009/PDF/Ch5_compendium2009.pdf Congressional Research Service report (by analyst Kelsi Bracmort) is the best short summary I have seen so far - both technical and policy oriented. http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/R40186_20090203.pdf . This is the single most comprehensive report to date, covering more of the Asian and Australian work; http://www.csiro.au/files/files/poei.pdf Dr. Scherr's report includes biochar. http://www.worldwatch.org/node/6124 I think we will be seeing much greater media attention for land management & biochar as reports like hers come out linking the roll of agriculture and climate. Biochar data base; TP-REPP http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org/?q=node Disscusion Groups; The group home page location, General orientation: Biochar (http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/biochar/ Biochar POLICY; http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biochar-policy Biochar Soils; http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/biochar-soils/ Biochar Production; http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/biochar-production/ Earth Science Terra Preta Forum, Great for students; Terra Preta - Science Forums Given the current "Crisis" atmosphere concerning energy, soil sustainability, food vs. Biofuels, and Climate Change what other subject addresses them all? This is a Nano technology for the soil, a fractal vision of Life's relation to surface area that represents the most comprehensive, low cost, and productive approach to long term stewardship and sustainability. Carbon to the Soil, the only ubiquitous and economic place to put it. Cheers, Erich

Biochar Soil Technology.....Husbandry of whole new orders of life Biotic Carbon, the carbon transformed by life, should never be combusted, oxidized and destroyed. It deserves more respect, reverence even, and understanding to use it back to the soil where 2/3 of excess atmospheric carbon originally came from. We all know we are carbon-centered life, we seldom think about the complex web of recycled bio-carbon which is the true center of life. A cradle to cradle, mutually co-evolved biosphere reaching into every crack and crevice on Earth. It's hard for most to revere microbes and fungus, but from our toes to our gums (onward), their balanced ecology is our health. The greater earth and soils are just as dependent, at much longer time scales. Our farming for over 10,000 years has been responsible for 2/3rds of our excess greenhouse gases. This soil carbon, converted to carbon dioxide, Methane & Nitrous oxide began a slow stable warming that now accelerates with burning of fossil fuel. Wise Land management; Organic farming and afforestation can build back our soil carbon, Biochar allows the soil food web to build much more recalcitrant organic carbon, ( living biomass & Glomalins) in addition to the carbon in the biochar. Biochar viewed as soil Infrastructure; The old saw; "Feed the Soil Not the Plants" becomes; "Feed, Cloth and House the Soil, utilities included !". Free Carbon Condominiums with carboxyl group fats in the pantry and hydroxyl alcohol in the mini bar. Build it and the Wee-Beasties will come. As one microbiologist said on the Biochar list; "Microbes like to sit down when they eat". By setting this table we expand husbandry to whole new orders of life. This is what I try to get across to Farmers, as to how I feel about the act of returning carbon to the soil. An act of pertinence and thankfulness for the civilization we have created. Farmers are the Soil Sink Bankers, once carbon has a price, they will be laughing all the way to it. Dr. Scherr's report includes biochar. http://www.worldwatch.org/node/6124 I think we will be seeing much greater media attention for land management & biochar as reports like her's come out linking the roll of agriculture and climate. Unlike CCS which only reduces emissions, biochar systems draw down CO2 every energy cycle, closing a circle back to support the soil food web. The "capture" collectors are up and running, the "storage" sink is in operation under our feet. Pyrolysis conversion plants are the only infrastructure we need to build out. Another significant aspect of bichar and aerosols are the low cost ($3) Biomass cook stoves that produce char but no respiratory disease. http://terrapretapot.org/ and village level systems http://biocharfund.org/ with the Congo Basin Forest Fund (CBFF). The Biochar Fund recently won $300K for these systems citing these priorities; (1) Hunger amongst the world's poorest people, the subsistence farmers of Sub-Saharan Africa, (2) Deforestation resulting from a reliance on slash-and-burn farming, (3) Energy poverty and a lack of access to clean, renewable energy, and (4) Climate change. This ordering of priorities is a compelling mantra against the Biofuel Watch UK group who have consistently misrepresented Biochar research work. Major Endorsements: Senator / Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar has done the most to nurse this biofuels system in his Biochar provisions in the 07 & 08 farm bill, http://www.biochar-international.org/newinformationevents/newlegislation.html NASA's Dr. James Hansen Global warming solutions paper and letter to the G-8 conference, placing Biochar / Land management the central technology for carbon negative energy systems. http://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/0804/0804.1126.pdf Dr. James Lovelock (Gaia hypothesis) says Biochar is "The only hope for mankind" Charles Mann ("1491") in the Sept. National Geographic has a wonderful soils article which places Terra Preta / Biochar soils center stage. http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/09/soil/mann-text Soil Carbon Sequestration Standards Committee. Hosted by Monsanto, this group of diverse interests has been hammering out issues of definition, validation and protocol. The past week, this group have been pressing soil sequestration's roll for climate legislation to congress. http://www.novecta.com/documents/Carbon-Standard.pdf Along these lines internationally, the work of the IBI fostering the application by 20 countries for UN recognition of soil carbon as a sink with biochar as a clean development mechanism will open the door for programs across the globe. http://www.biochar-international.org/biocharpolicy.html. Reports: This new Congressional Research Service report (by analyst Kelsi Bracmort) is the best short summary I have seen so far - both technical and policy oriented. http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/R40186_20090203.pdf . This is the single most comprehensive report to date, covering more of the Asian and Australian work; http://www.csiro.au/files/files/poei.pdf Biochar data base; TP-REPP http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org/?q=node Search the REF Share database with your particular quires; http://www.biochar-international.org/aboutbiochar/biochararticlesandnews.html Given the current "Crisis" atmosphere concerning energy, soil sustainability, food vs. Biofuels, and Climate Change what other subject addresses them all? This is a Nano technology for the soil that represents the most comprehensive, low cost, and productive approach to long term stewardship and sustainability. Carbon to the Soil, the only ubiquitous and economic place to put it. Cheers, Erich Erich J. Knight Eco Technologies Group Technical Adviser University of California Riverside advisory board member Shenandoah Gardens (Owner) 1047 Dave Barry Rd. McGaheysville, VA. 22840 540 289 9750 Co-Administrator, Biochar Data base & Discussion list TP-REPP North American Biochar Conference I will be speaking at the first North American Biochar Conference, at CU in Boulder , about my efforts to network the many disciplines and organizations researching and implementing biochar systems. Keynote speaker Secretary Tom Vilsack & Dr. Susan Solomon (NOAA's head atmospheric scientist) at. http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=684390 My attendence is thanks to the folks at EcoTechnologies Group . ( http://www.ecotechnologies.com/index.html , they have also fully funded my field trials with the Rodale Institute & JMU) ASA Conference, Nov 1-5th, (Laird, Novak, the usual suspects ); http://a-c-s.confex.com/crops/2009am/webprogrampreliminary/Session5675.html There is real magic coming out of the Asian Biochar conference. 15 ear per stalk corn with 250% yield increase, Sacred Trees and chickens raised from near death Multiple confirmations of 80% - 90% reduction of soil GHG emissions The abstracts of the conference are at http://www.anzbiochar.org/2009presentations.html

Biochar also allows the soil food web to build much more recalcitrant organic carbon, (living biomass & Glomalins) in addition to the carbon in the biochar. Once a full accounting of this additional recalcitrant organic carbon in addition to the CO2e value of the 90% reductions of soil GHGs (N2O & CH4) the wedge may total 30% or more. Biochar Soil Technology.....Husbandry of whole new orders of life Biotic Carbon, the carbon transformed by life, should never be combusted, oxidized and destroyed. It deserves more respect, reverence even, and understanding to use it back to the soil where 2/3 of excess atmospheric carbon originally came from. We all know we are carbon-centered life, we seldom think about the complex web of recycled bio-carbon which is the true center of life. A cradle to cradle, mutually co-evolved biosphere reaching into every crack and crevice on Earth. It's hard for most to revere microbes and fungus, but from our toes to our gums (onward), their balanced ecology is our health. The greater earth and soils are just as dependent, at much longer time scales. Our farming for over 10,000 years has been responsible for 2/3rds of our excess greenhouse gases. This soil carbon, converted to carbon dioxide, Methane & Nitrous oxide began a slow stable warming that now accelerates with burning of fossil fuel. Wise Land management; Organic farming and afforestation can build back our soil carbon, Biochar, the modern version of an ancient Amazonian agricultural practice called Terra Preta (black earth, TP), is gaining widespread credibility as a way to address world hunger, climate change, rural poverty, deforestation, and energy shortages… SIMULTANEOUSLY! Modern Pyrolysis of biomass is a process for Carbon Negative Bio fuels, massive Carbon sequestration,10X Lower Methane & N2O soil emissions, and 3X Fertility Too. Every 1 ton of Biomass yields; 1/3 ton Charcoal for soil Sequestration (= 1 ton CO2e) Bio-Gas & Bio-oil fuels (=1 MWh exported electricity) so is a totally virtuous, carbon negative energy cycle. Biochar viewed as soil Infrastructure; The old saw; "Feed the Soil Not the Plants" becomes; "Feed, Cloth and House the Soil, utilities included !". Free Carbon Condominiums with carboxyl group fats in the pantry and hydroxyl alcohol in the mini bar. Build it and the Wee-Beasties will come. As one microbiologist said on the Biochar list; "Microbes like to sit down when they eat". By setting this table we expand husbandry to whole new orders of life. This is what I try to get across to Farmers, as to how I feel about the act of returning carbon to the soil. An act of pertinence and thankfulness for the civilization we have created. Farmers are the Soil Sink Bankers, once carbon has a price, they will be laughing all the way to it. Dr. Scherr's report includes biochar. http://www.worldwatch.org/node/6124 I think we will be seeing much greater media attention for land management & biochar as reports like her's come out linking the roll of agriculture and climate. Unlike CCS which only reduces emissions, biochar systems draw down CO2 every energy cycle, closing a circle back to support the soil food web. The "capture" collectors are up and running, the "storage" sink is in operation under our feet. Pyrolysis conversion plants are the only infrastructure we need to build out. Another significant aspect of bichar and aerosols are the low cost ($3) Biomass cook stoves that produce char but no respiratory disease. http://terrapretapot.org/ and village level systems http://biocharfund.org/ with the Congo Basin Forest Fund (CBFF). The Biochar Fund recently won $300K for these systems citing these priorities; (1) Hunger amongst the world's poorest people, the subsistence farmers of Sub-Saharan Africa, (2) Deforestation resulting from a reliance on slash-and-burn farming, (3) Energy poverty and a lack of access to clean, renewable energy, and (4) Climate change. This ordering of priorities is a compelling mantra against the Biofuel Watch UK group who have consistently misrepresented Biochar research work. Major Endorsements: Senator / Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar has done the most to nurse this biofuels system in his Biochar provisions in the 07 & 08 farm bill, http://www.biochar-international.org/newinformationevents/newlegislation.html NASA's Dr. James Hansen Global warming solutions paper and letter to the G-8 conference, placing Biochar / Land management the central technology for carbon negative energy systems. http://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/0804/0804.1126.pdf Dr. James Lovelock (Gaia hypothesis) says Biochar is "The only hope for mankind" Charles Mann ("1491") in the Sept. National Geographic has a wonderful soils article which places Terra Preta / Biochar soils center stage. http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/09/soil/mann-text Soil Carbon Sequestration Standards Committee. Hosted by Monsanto, this group of diverse interests has been hammering out issues of definition, validation and protocol. The past week, this group have been pressing soil sequestration's roll for climate legislation to congress. http://www.novecta.com/documents/Carbon-Standard.pdf Along these lines internationally, the work of the IBI fostering the application by 20 countries for UN recognition of soil carbon as a sink with biochar as a clean development mechanism will open the door for programs across the globe. http://www.biochar-international.org/biocharpolicy.html. Reports: This new Congressional Research Service report (by analyst Kelsi Bracmort) is the best short summary I have seen so far - both technical and policy oriented. http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/R40186_20090203.pdf . This is the single most comprehensive report to date, covering more of the Asian and Australian work; http://www.csiro.au/files/files/poei.pdf Biochar data base; TP-REPP http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org/?q=node Given the current "Crisis" atmosphere concerning energy, soil sustainability, food vs. Biofuels, and Climate Change what other subject addresses them all? This is a Nano technology for the soil that represents the most comprehensive, low cost, and productive approach to long term stewardship and sustainability. Carbon to the Soil, the only ubiquitous and economic place to put it. Cheers, Erich Erich J. Knight Eco Technologies Group Technical Adviser University of California Riverside advisory board member Shenandoah Gardens (Owner) 1047 Dave Barry Rd. McGaheysville, VA. 22840 540 289 9750 Co-Administrator, Biochar Data base & Discussion list TP-REPP I will be speaking at the first North American Biochar Conference, at CU in Boulder , about my efforts to network the many disciplines and organizations researching and implementing biochar systems. Keynote speaker Secretary Tom Vilsack & Dr. Susan Solomon (NOAA's head atmospheric scientist) at. http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=684390 My attendence is thanks to the folks at EcoTechnologies Group . ( http://www.ecotechnologies.com/index.html , they have also fully funded my field trials with the Rodale Institute & JMU) There is real magic coming out of the Asian Biochar conference. 15 ear per stalk corn with 250% yield increase, Sacred Trees and chickens raised from near death Multiple confirmations of 80% - 90% reduction of soil GHG emissions The abstracts of the conference are at http://www.anzbiochar.org/2009presentations.html

BREAKING NEWS! Biochar, the carbon-negative soil-improving energy biproduct, has made an incredible series of breakthroughs at the UN Climate Change Conference in Poznan, Poland. The International Biochar Initiative, http://www.biochar-international.org, announced today that Biochar is now being examined by the UNFCCC (United Nations Council on Climate Change) for status as part of the CDM (Clean Development Mechanism.) It's verifiable, it produces clean energy, it improves soils, it reverses desertification, it improves water quality, it could drive millions out of poverty, and it may be one of humanity's single greatest tools for mitigating and adapting to climate change. A copy of the proposal is posted on the IBI website at http://www.biochar-international.org/ibimaterialsforpress.html.

Yes the oil and gas are hard on even converted IC engines powering the gen/sets. Much work is going on to further refine to bio-diesel and gas clean up. I feel the simple way will be with Sterling external combustion engines . Funny you should ask about M. Pollan; In a recent National Public Radio interview, Michael Pollan talks about how he was approached by a Democratic party staffer about his New York Times article, Farmer in Chief ( Michael Pollan Proposes A "Sun-Food" Agenda In Open Letter To Next U.S. President : TreeHugger ). The article is an open letter to the next president concerning U.S. agriculture policy. The staffer wanted Pollan to summarize the article into a page or two to get it into the hands of Barack Obama. Pollan declined, saying that if he could have said everything that needed to be said in two pages, he wouldn't have written 8000 words. Despite the snub, it looks like the article created enough of a buzz that it made it into Obama's stack of pre-election reading material... In an interview with Joe Klein, ( Swampland - TIME.com Blog Archive The Full Obama Interview ) Obama refers to the article, explaining how Pollan's ideas fit into the concept of a new energy economy. Obama's analysis of Pollan's message: There is no better potential driver that pervades all aspects of our economy than a new energy economy. I was just reading an article in the New York Times by Michael Pollen about food and the fact that our entire agricultural system is built on cheap oil. As a consequence, our agriculture sector actually is contributing more greenhouse gases than our transportation sector. And in the mean time, it's creating monocultures that are vulnerable to national security threats, are now vulnerable to sky-high food prices or crashes in food prices, huge swings in commodity prices, and are partly responsible for the explosion in our healthcare costs because they're contributing to type 2 diabetes, stroke and heart disease, obesity, all the things that are driving our huge explosion in healthcare costs. That's just one sector of the economy. You think about the same thing is true on transportation. The same thing is true on how we construct our buildings. The same is true across the board. This article prompted me to send M. Pollan another update on biochar research and genteel pleading to include Biochar technology in his next agriculture policy directive to the president; "Dear Michael, I can just see the bread crumb trail I believe/hope you are laying out in the NPR interview. Biochar will be the 8001th word, the grand finally of solutions? The path your work has taken me on in human / plant interactions, the pleasurable and problematic seem solved by diversity and land management practices. We know that means food web/SOM management. The arguments for sustainability you put forward, if embraced, will lead to the biochar bread. President Obama has already done so much to de-mystified, de-politicize and de-stigmatize the word black, I feel that "A Black Revolution in Agriculture" (as a recent article titled a biochar story), would be quite consistent with this achievement. I spoke today with Dr. Johannes Lehmann 607 254 1236 , he is more than willing to layout all the new work to you. Last year there were no biochar studies at the ACS conference, this year several dozen. Biochar at ACS; Most all this work corroborates char dynamics we have seen so far . The soil GHG emissions work showing increased CO2 , also speculates that this CO2 has to get through the hungry plants above before becoming a GHG. The SOM, MYC & Microbes, N2O (soil structure), CH4 , nutrient holding , Nitrogen shock, humic compound conditioning, absorbing of herbicides all pretty much what we expected to hear. Biochar Studies at ACS Huston meeting; 578-I: Session: Symposium --Black Carbon in Soils and Sediments: I. Classification, Formation, and Occurrence 579-II Session: Symposium --Black Carbon in Soils and Sediments: II. Identification and Characteristics 665 - III. Session: Symposium --Black Carbon in Soils and Sediments: III. Environmental Function 666-IV Session: Symposium --Black Carbon in Soils and Sediments: IV. Stability and Carbon Sequestration Potential Total CO2 Equivalence: Even before the total CO2 equivalent credits are validated they should be on the product label. Once a commercial bagged soil amendment product, every suburban household can do it, The label can tell them of their contribution, a 40# bag = 150# CO2 = 160 bags / year to cover my personal CO2 emissions.( 20,000 #/yr , 1/2 average) Individual Emissions - Personal Emissions Calculator | Climate Change - Greenhouse Gas Emissions | U.S. EPA Full carbon credit validation should easily follow the path that has gained carbon credits for no-till practices. But that is just the Carbon! I have yet to find a total CO2 equivalent number taking consideration against some average field N2O & CH4 emissions. The New Zealand work shows 10X reductions. If biochar also proves to be effective at reducing nutrient run-off from agricultural soils, then there will also be a reduction in downstream N2O emissions . This ACS study implicates soil structure / N2O connection; Paper: Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Soils as Affected by Addition of Biochar. Counting on the 8001th word Erich 540 289 9750 Michael Pollan to me Reply "Thanks-- look forward to digesting all this." Also, The president has a website where he is taking in "your vision for what America can be, where President Obama should lead this country". Change.gov | momentvision I would encourage you to submit biochar visions from your point of view. I would recommend mentioning more than biochar. The form is set up to take input from other countries as well. Get Lobbying! Erich

Charles Mann ("1491") in the Sept. National Geographic, has a wonderful soils article which places Terra Preta / Biochar soils center stage. I think Biochar has climbed the pinnacle, the Combined English and other language circulation of NGM is nearly nine million monthly with more than fifty million readers monthly! We need to encourage more coverage now, to ride Mann's coattails to public critical mass. Please put this (soil) bug in your colleague's ears. These issues need to gain traction among all the various disciplines who have an iron in this fire. http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/09/soil/mann-text I love the "MEGO" factor theme Mann built the story around. Lord... how I KNOW that reaction. I like his characterization concerning the pot shards found in Terra Preta soils; so filled with pottery - "It was as if the river's first inhabitants had thrown a huge, rowdy frat party, smashing every plate in sight, then buried the evidence." A couple of researchers I was not aware of were quoted, and I'll be sending them posts about our Biochar group: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/biochar/?yguid=122501696 and data base; http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org/?q=node I also have been trying to convince Michael Pollan ( NYT Food Columnist, Author ) to do a follow up story, with pleading emails to him Since the NGM cover reads "WHERE FOOD BEGINS" , I thought this would be right down his alley and focus more attention on Mann's work. I've admiried his ability since "Botany of Desire" to over come the "MEGO" factor (My Eyes Glaze Over) and make food & agriculture into page turners. It's what Mann hasn't covered that I thought should interest any writer as a follow up article. The Biochar provisions by Sen.Ken Salazar in the 07 farm bill, http://www.biochar-international.org/newinformationevents/newlegislation.html Dr, James Hansen's Global warming solutions paper and letter to the G-8 conference last month, and coming article in Science, http://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/0804/0804.1126.pdf The many new university programs & field studies, in temperate soils Glomalin's role in soil tilth & Terra Preta, The International Biochar Initiative Conference Sept 8 in New Castle; http://www.biochar-international.org/ibi2008conference/aboutibi2008conference.html Given the current "Crisis" atmosphere concerning energy, soil sustainability, food vs. Biofuels, and Climate Change what other subject addresses them all? Biochar, the modern version of an ancient Amazonian agricultural practice called Terra Preta (black earth), is gaining widespread credibility as a way to address world hunger, climate change, rural poverty, deforestation, and energy shortages… SIMULTANEOUSLY! This technology represents the most comprehensive, low cost, and productive approach to long term stewardship and sustainability. Terra Preta Soils a process for Carbon Negative Bio fuels, massive Carbon sequestration,10X Lower Methane & N2O soil emissions, and 3X Fertility Too. Every 1 ton of Biomass yields 1/3 ton Charcoal for soil Sequestration. Carbon to the Soil, the only ubiquitous and economic place to put it. Erich J. Knight 540 289 9750 Biochar Studies at ACS Huston meeting; 578-I: http://a-c-s.confex.com/crops/2008am/webprogram/Session4231.html 579-II http://a-c-s.confex.com/crops/2008am/webprogram/Session4496.html 665 - III. http://a-c-s.confex.com/crops/2008am/webprogram/Session4497.html 666-IV http://a-c-s.confex.com/crops/2008am/webprogram/Session4498.html Most all this work corroborates char soil dynamics we have seen so far . The soil GHG emissions work showing increased CO2 , also speculates that this CO2 has to get through the hungry plants above before becoming a GHG. The SOM, MYC& Microbes, N2O (soil structure), CH4 , nutrient holding , Nitrogen shock, humic compound conditioning, absorbing of herbicides all pretty much what we expected to hear. Johannes Lehmann <cl273@cornell.edu> recent work; Mycorrhizal responses to biochar in soil – concepts and mechanisms Daniel D. Warnock & Johannes Lehmann & Thomas W. Kuyper & Matthias C. Rillig http://www.css.cornell.edu/faculty/lehmann/publ/PlantSoil%20300,%209-20,%202007,%20Warnock.pdf

Biochar Update Charles Mann ("1491") in the Sept. National Geographic, has a wonderful soils article which places Terra Preta / Biochar soils center stage to solve climate change. I think Biochar has climbed the pinnacle, the Combined English and other language circulation of NGM is nearly nine million monthly with more than fifty million readers monthly! We need to encourage more coverage now, to ride Mann's coattails to public critical mass. Please put this (soil) bug in your colleague's ears. These issues need to gain traction among all the various disciplines who have an iron in this fire. http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/20...soil/mann-text I love the "MEGO" factor theme Mann built the story around. Lord... how I KNOW that reaction. I like his characterization concerning the pot shards found in Terra Preta soils; so filled with pottery - "It was as if the river's first inhabitants had thrown a huge, rowdy frat party, smashing every plate in sight, then buried the evidence." A couple of researchers I was not aware of were quoted, and I'll be sending them posts about our Biochar group: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/b...guid=122501696 and data base; http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org/?q=node I also have been trying to convince Michael Pollan ( NYT Food Columnist, Author ) to do a follow up story, with pleading emails to him Since the NGM cover reads "WHERE FOOD BEGINS" , I thought this would be right down his alley and focus more attention on Mann's work. I've admiried his ability since "Botany of Desire" to over come the "MEGO" factor (My Eyes Glaze Over) and make food & agriculture into page turners. It's what Mann hasn't covered that I thought should interest any writer as a follow up article. The Biochar provisions by Sen.Ken Salazar in the 07 & 08 farm bill, http://www.biochar-international.org...gislation.html Dr, James Hansen's Global warming solutions paper and letter to the G-8 conference last month, and coming article in Science, with Biochar land management center stage. http://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/0804/0804.1126.pdf The many new university programs & field studies, in temperate soils Glomalin's role in soil tilth & Terra Preta, The International Biochar Initiative Conference Sept 8 in New Castle; http://www.biochar-international.org...onference.html Given the current "Crisis" atmosphere concerning energy, soil sustainability, food vs. Biofuels, and Climate Change what other subject addresses them all? Biochar, the modern version of an ancient Amazonian agricultural practice called Terra Preta (black earth), is gaining widespread credibility as a way to address world hunger, climate change, rural poverty, deforestation, and energy shortages… SIMULTANEOUSLY! This technology represents the most comprehensive, low cost, and productive approach to long term stewardship and sustainability. Terra Preta Soils a process for Carbon Negative Bio fuels, massive Carbon sequestration,10X Lower Methane & N2O soil emissions, and 3X Fertility Too. Every 1 ton of Biomass yields 1/3 ton Charcoal for soil Sequestration. Carbon to the Soil, the only ubiquitous and economic place to put it. Cheers, Erich Erich J. Knight 540 289 9750 P.S. : Biochar Studies at ACS Huston meeting; 578-I: http://a-c-s.confex.com/crops/2008am...ssion4231.html 579-II http://a-c-s.confex.com/crops/2008am...ssion4496.html 665 - III. http://a-c-s.confex.com/crops/2008am...ssion4497.html 666-IV http://a-c-s.confex.com/crops/2008am...ssion4498.html Most all this work corroborates char soil dynamics we have seen so far . The soil GHG emissions work showing increased CO2 , also speculates that this CO2 has to get through the hungry plants above before becoming a GHG. The SOM, MYC& Microbes, N2O (soil structure), CH4 , nutrient holding , Nitrogen shock, humic compound conditioning, absorbing of herbicides all pretty much what we expected to hear. Johannes Lehmann <cl273@cornell.edu> recent work; Mycorrhizal responses to biochar in soil – concepts and mechanisms Daniel D. Warnock & Johannes Lehmann & Thomas W. Kuyper & Matthias C. Rillig http://www.css.cornell.edu/faculty/l...%20Warnock.pdf Modify post Inline

Nano tech may pull off some violations harvesting Brownian motion, Van Der Waal force,or diodo rectification of radio noise. Also Piezo-electric nano wire arrays harvesting sound, vibration mabe even wind , Also Nano PV and Solar to Hydrogen Solar colection are coming on strong. However, short of a Energy "silver bullet" like fusion , or Nano-Solar, Here is a fully DOABLE technology; Terra Preta Soils/Biofuels represents the most comprehensive, low cost, and productive approach to long term stewardship and sustainability.Terra Preta Soils a process for Carbon Negative Bio fuels, massive Carbon sequestration, 1/3 Lower CH4 & N2O soil emissions, and 3X Fertility Too. Terra Preta (TP)soils and closed-loop pyrolysis of Biomass, this integrated virtuous cycle could sequester 100s of Billions of tons of carbon to the soils. UN Climate Change Conference: Biochar present at the Bali Conference http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org/steinerbalinov2107 SCIAM Article May 15 07; http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=5670236C-E7F2-99DF-3E2163B9FB144E40 After many years of reviewing solutions to anthropogenic global warming (AGW) I believe this technology can manage Carbon for the greatest collective benefit at the lowest economic price, on vast scales. It just needs to be seen by ethical globally minded companies. Could you please consider looking for a champion for this orphaned Terra Preta Carbon Soil Technology. The main hurtle now is to change the current perspective held by the IPCC that the soil carbon cycle is a wash, to one in which soil can be used as a massive and ubiquitous Carbon sink via Charcoal. Below are the first concrete steps in that direction; S.1884 – The Salazar Harvesting Energy Act of 2007 A Summary of Biochar Provisions in S.1884: Carbon-Negative Biomass Energy and Soil Quality Initiative for the 2007 Farm Bill http://www.biochar-international.org/newinformationevents/newlegislation.html After many years of reviewing solutions to anthropogenic global warming (AGW) I believe this technology can manage Carbon for the greatest collective benefit at the lowest economic price, on vast scales. It just needs to be seen by ethical globally minded companies. Even with all the big corporations coming to the GHG negotiation table, like Exxon, Alcoa, .etc, we still need to keep watch as they try to influence how carbon management is legislated in the USA. Carbon must have a fair price, that fair price and the changes in the view of how the soil carbon cycle now can be used as a massive sink verses it now being viewed as a wash, will be of particular value to farmers and a global cool breath of fresh air for us all. If you have any other questions please feel free to call me or visit the TP web site I've been drafted to co-administer. http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org/?q=node It has been immensely gratifying to see all the major players join the mail list , Cornell folks, T. Beer of Kings Ford Charcoal (Clorox), Novozyne the M-Roots guys(fungus), chemical engineers, Dr. Danny Day of EPRIDA , Dr. Antal of U. of H., Virginia Tech folks and probably many others who's back round I don't know have joined. Also Here is the Latest BIG Terra Preta Soil news; The Honolulu Advertiser: "The nation's leading manufacturer of charcoal has licensed a University of Hawai'i process for turning green waste into barbecue briquets." See: http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org/antalkingsford ConocoPhillips Establishes $22.5 Million Pyrolysis Program at Iowa State http://www.conocophillips.com/newsroom/news_releases/2007news/04-10-2007.htm Glomalin, the recently discovered soil protien, may be the secret to to TP soils productivity; http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2003/030205.htm Erich J. Knight 540-289-9750 shengar at aol.com

UN Climate Change Conference: Biochar present at the Bali Conference http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org/steinerbalinov2107 Dynamotive to build fully commercial fast-pyrolysis biofuel plant in Missouri 12/05/07 "200 tons per day of wood by-products and residues from nearby sawmills into 34,000 gallons per day of bio-oil " I'm guessing the char would be about 30 tons / day? In Argentina, $50 million for 15.7 Megawatt Plant, a bit costly per Megawatt; "Each complex will be comprised of a 15.7 megawatt electricity generating station powered by the majority of the fuel output of two 200-ton-per-day modular plants producing bio-oil from wood waste and residues from nearby forests and other biomass residue. Excess bio-oil produced at these facilities will be sold into commercial and industrial fuel markets" http://biopact.com/2007/12/dynamotive-to-build-fully-commercial.html Concerning building cost per Megawatt, depending on the numbers they state; In Argentina, $50 million for each 15.7 Megawatt Plant, would be about 3 $million / MW. I thought that seemed high, but after checking it compares well with current cost of other plant building cost; PV-Solar .......... 8 million / MW Solar-Thermal.... 6 million / MW Coal..................1.5 million / MW At larger efficiencies of scale, Dynamotives modular approach may even match Coal fired plant building cost. I don't know the operation cost there, but when we finally get paid (say $80/ton for Carbon) $3000 / day , operational cost should also look good. Erich J. Knight Shenandoah Gardens 1047 Dave Berry Rd. McGaheysville, VA. 22840 (540) 289-9750 shengar@aol.com

THANKS.........iNOW, Kind words like yours makes my efforts rewarding. My most recent Rewarding moments; I was contacted by a journalist for the New York Times, wanting to do a carbon to the soil story. She was crest fallen when I told her that SCIAM did a Terra Preta article in May, she wanted an exclusive. I sent her all my links and she will be pitching the story to her editor for a full assignment. I comforted her by saying that no major paper had done a TP story and that hardly anyone but academics read Nature and SCIAM. CROSS YOUR FINGERS.........This could start balls rolling......... NYT; Circulation 1,120,420 Daily 1,627,062 Sunday Last week I sent a post to Michael Pollan ( "The Botany of Desire", A Plants-Eye View of the World & "The Omnivore's Dilemma," ), He has been writing columns for the NYT on food & agriculture. This kind reply I just received, Below. If the NYT journalist who contacted me last week doesn't come through maybe Mr. Pollan will cover TP in the food columns he has been writing for the NYT. Let's hope he delves deeply. "Erich: Got your message and look forward to delving into the subject, which I was introduced to by Charles Mann. Thanks! Michael On Nov 5, 2007, at 9:18 AM, Erich J. Knight wrote:" Getting an "!" from Michael Pollan.......... Just made my week I also spoke with the head process engineer for KingsFord Charcoal (Clorox), Thomas Beer, (I sent him my TP post a year ago, His reply "Interesting Proposition") Clorox Has licenced Dr.Micheal Antal's Plasma carbonization process at U of H. . He is quite supportive, and is sending me the specifications and cost of truck loads of char from their retorts in West Virginia. Field trials here I come! Erich