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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Hi Eli,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>There's a great email list specifically about biochar on Yahoo Groups:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/biochar/info">https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/biochar/info</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>BioEnergylists (where this list is hosted) also has a pretty good list of biochar projects and resources: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="http://biochar.bioenergylists.org/">http://biochar.bioenergylists.org/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Since we're chatting on the Greenbuilding list, this is a project where they used biochar as a building material:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="http://www.biochar-journal.org/en/ct/3-The-use-of-biochar-as-building-material-">http://www.biochar-journal.org/en/ct/3-The-use-of-biochar-as-building-material-</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>The spray on stucco idea is pretty good, since biochar has no tensile strength of its own. It has also been incorporated into bricks, where the strength of the material is primarily coming from the clay and other ingredients. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>If you want more information about the stability of biochar in soils, the International Biochar Initiative, has the set of resources on that topic available. You do have to become a member to get access to some of their content, but if you do join them, your work goes to support the proactive development of science-based international standards for carbon negative biochar. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="http://www.biochar-international.org/">http://www.biochar-international.org/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Kind regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Erin Rasmussen<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>BioEnergy Discussion Lists<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>erin@trmiles.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> Greenbuilding [mailto:greenbuilding-bounces@lists.bioenergylists.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>conservationarchitect@rockbridge.net<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, July 06, 2015 7:53 AM<br><b>To:</b> Green Building<br><b>Subject:</b> [Greenbuilding] Past the Tipping Point (was the Hope of Biochar)<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Like it or not, we are past the tipping point for reversing climate change with only reducing emissions. Given the historical highs in emissions of fossil fuels still currently going on, reducing our emissions by say, building buildings that are net zero with energy supplied by clean renewables is a way to reduce or even eliminate additional damage from our practices. However, it does not heal the damage already done by greenhouse gases. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>This year I have discerned what may or may not be apparent to you, but greenhouse gases are cumulative. Just like a financial debt, when you stop adding to the debt, the previous debt does not go away. Although with a financial debt, you can change the rules. We are now at the point with the accumulation of greenhouse gases that we are causing positive feedbacks that are accelerating the warming. The melting of glaciers and tundra are releasing methane, a much more potent greenhouse gas than co2. Also, the dramatic reduction in white sea ice, reducing the light reflected back into space and increasing the heat absorbed by dark blue water is significantly adding to the heating. If we were to achieve net zero emissions of human caused greenhouse gases with plants sequestering carbon, we will continue to warm because of these positive feedbacks. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Reducing emissions remains the highest priority. Each day we must consider ways we can reduce our damage. However, we must consider how to restore a healthy greenhouse gas level that addresses the accumulated build up from the industrial era, particularly the last half century and still continuing. How can we remove co2 from the atmosphere? Planting plants and trees do that. Our economy needs to run on what we can sequester out of the atmosphere. However, plant sequestration is temporary. In the life cycle, the plant will die, decompose and re-emit co2 into the atmosphere in a relatively brief time. Yes, this is helpful to buy us time. However, creating biochar, half the carbon of the material remains sequestered for 1000+ years. It is really helpful that there is a short term benefit of holding onto water, micro nutrients, and provide ideal environment for microorganisms. This has been demonstrated by the terra pretta soils of the Amazon. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Until recently, I only thought of charcoal as a fuel for grilles. I actually thought it came from coal. Because that product is formulated for a fuel, it is not suited as a soil amendment. That use of charcoal is wasteful and polluting. However, as part of a movement to restore carbon into soils and increase fertility by holding the nutrients, yes, I do consider the use of biochar as a soil amendment a green, sustainable, regenerative practice. In addition to holding carbon from original material, it also holds onto amonia and nitrous oxide from fertilizers (also potent greenhouse gases) to the benefit of plant growth, food production and the climate. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>I am still exploring this potential. Therefore, I may still learn something new that throws doubt into this approach. That is why I posted to this list. If you have concerns about biochar, let me know so I can consider them. In this time of transition, we are called to be open to new information that may challenge our previous assumptions. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Eli <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:whitesmoke'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'> <a href="mailto:ArchiLogic@yahoo.ca" title="ArchiLogic@yahoo.ca">RT</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:whitesmoke'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'>Sent:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'> Sunday, June 28, 2015 8:46 PM<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:whitesmoke'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'>To:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'> <a href="mailto:greenbuilding@lists.bioenergylists.org" title="greenbuilding@lists.bioenergylists.org">Green Building</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:whitesmoke'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'>Subject:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'> Re: [Greenbuilding] Biochar as Annual Cycle Building Dehumidifier<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>On Sun, 28 Jun 2015 19:22:12 -0400, <<a href="mailto:conservationarchitect@rockbridge.net">conservationarchitect@rockbridge.net</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>My last posting on biochar was somewhat of an introduction to the subject. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>This video about charcoal in Japan shows its use as an annual cycle dehumidifier in a home<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>Eli;<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>I have to confess that the notion of promoting charcoal as being Green struck me as being perverse.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>That opinion was formed in the early 1970's after having read a charming little booklet entitled <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>"A Reverence for Wood" by Eric Sloane, most likely purchased as a result of having seen it mentioned in one of the Whole Earth Catalogues.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>I recall Sloane having described the process of making charcoal and the lives of the men who made it in early America. They were shunned and/or feared, not only because of their appearance but also because of the strange life they necessarily led due to the demands of tending the charcoal mound 24/7/365.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>Anyone who heats with wood will know that charcoal is the result of incomplete combustion -- ie a dirty, smouldering fire.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>Its seems (to me anyway) that to promote charcoal "aka BioChar" as a Green resource is akin to promoting a 1967 Buick Electra with a 430 cubic inch V-8 engine as environmentally-friendly transportation.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>It would also seem that instead of using 4500 kgs (almost 5 tons) of charcoal as a desiccant for dehumidification , simply using clay or salt would achieve the same result with far less embodied-energy. I suspect that Norbert Senf would have a pretty good idea of actual figures but my wild-@$$ guess would be that something like 10 tons of hardwood would need to be burned in a very dirty manner to make 5 tons of charcoal.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>However, I could be completely off-base with my antiquated 1970's impression/opinion of charcoal. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id=M2Signature><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>-- <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>=== * ===<br>Rob Tom DT7-64 <br>Kanata, Ontario, Canada<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><hr size=2 width="100%" align=center></span></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>_______________________________________________<br>Greenbuilding mailing list<br>to Send a Message to the list, use the email address<br><a href="mailto:Greenbuilding@bioenergylists.org">Greenbuilding@bioenergylists.org</a><br><br>to UNSUBSCRIBE or Change your List Settings use the web page<br><a href="http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_lists.bioenergylists.org">http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_lists.bioenergylists.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></body></html>