Biochar: the Preferred Weapon in the War on Climate Change.

The biochar world is proud to announce one of its newest advocators, British entrepreneur billionaire Richard Branson. Branson is the founder of the brand name Virgin, which represents over 360 companies worldwide. ^[1] Lately, Branson has been allocating his efforts towards mitigating climate change. This past February, Branson teamed up with former vice president Al Gore offering $25 million dollars to anyone who can remove at least a billion tons of carbon dioxide a year from the Earth's atmosphere. Additionally, Branson pledged to invest $3 billion dollars to fighting climate change. "I believe in our resourcefulness and in our capacity to invent solutions to the problems we have ourselves created," said Branson. ^[2]

With the idea that every war needs a war room, Branson helped create in Washington what is being referred to as the “Carbon War Room”. This special war room is designed for the specific purpose of examining all possible ways to not only cut emissions but also remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. “All options are on the table,” Branson explained. Of those options, Branson enthusiastically focused on biochar as perhaps the most promising idea. Branson is in absolute favor of a direct intervention to pull carbon dioxide out of the air and that’s exactly what biochar technology accomplishes. ^[3] Michael Turnbull, Australia’s former environmental minister, has recently said that biochar has the potential to absorb one-fifth of emissions in his country while also raising agricultural productivity. ^[4]

[1] “The World's Billionaires”. “#236 Richard Branson”. Forbes. 3/5/08. http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/10/billionaires08_Richard-Branson_2Y7I.html

[2] “Tycoon Hopes to Spur Milestone Research”. Kevin Sullivan. Washington Post. 2/10/07. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2007/02/09/AR2007020900693.html

[3] “Sir Branson Endorses Biochar”. Art Donnelly. 10/19/09. http://seachar.org/wordpress/p=246

[4] “Debating the Climate Benefits of ‘Biochar’”. James Kanter. New York Times. 4/15/09. http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/15/debating-the-climate-benefits-of-biochar/

Unusual Advocates for Climate Change Mitigation.

Most recently in the news we have been hearing about some unusual advocates for climate change legislation and some unusual ways to advocate. Maldives is a small island country in the Indian Ocean creating quite the ripple effect for climate change action. With the idea that climate change could put Maldives completely below sea level, the President of Maldives and his ministers held a symbolic cabinet meeting underwater this past week. The meeting was held as part of 350.org, which is an international movement to bring increased global attention to climate change. On October 24, (this Saturday) 350.org has organized a global day of action. Maldives, a country of just 350,000, is again trying to bring attention to the cause as they have organized 14 events for this day we are sure to hear about. ^[1]

Climate Changes’ newest advocates may be dressed in camouflage but are certainly not in hiding. Realizing that climate change has already begun disrupting certain recreational activities, hunters and fishers have started lobbying for climate change legislation. "If you go out and hunt at the same time in the same season and the same place every year, then you understand the changes that are happening," said Jeremy Symons, senior vice president for conservation at the National Wildlife Federation. The Dallas Safari Club, the National Trappers Association and Pheasants Forever are three of the 20 national hunting and fishing groups that have signed a letter asking the Senate to pass climate legislation that both reduces greenhouse gas emissions and safeguards national resources. ^[2]

           

[1] “Maldives holds underwater cabinet meeting to bring attention to climate change”. Daniel Kessler. San Francisco, California. 10/18/09. http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/10/maldives-underwater-cabinet-meeting.php#ch01

[2] “Conservative hunters and fishermen back climate change legislation”. The Huffington post. Jenna Staul. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/19/conservative-hunters-and_n_325871.html