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Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected] Real climate mitigation – facts and fears

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talk by Folke Gunther explains the Carbon challenge and ways to approach it.

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Page 1: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Real climate mitigation – facts and fears

Page 2: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

NumbersWhy emission reductions will not be enoughThe real problem: climate tippingsCarbon removal as a necessary complementChar as climate mitigationChar productionBiochar improves soil fertilityEconomic models

Content

Page 3: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Numbers and figures– 8 Gt carbon (C) (30 Gt CO2) annually– of which 2 Gt (estimated) is from deforestation– Current level: 390 ppm – 1 ppm CO2 = 2.12 Gt C– If there were no natural sinks:

3.77 ppm annual increase= 400 ppm well before 2020!

Page 4: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

More numbers and figures

• 1 kg char buried = 3.67 kg CO2 removed• Half-life of charcoal in soils

Preston & Schmidt: 5 000 – 7 000 yearsLehmann: 2 000 – 3 000 yearsBird: > 100 years (grass wildfire, high oxidation)

• Half-life of biomass> 40 years (estimated)

Page 5: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Why emission reductions are not enough

Page 6: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Emission reductions only – is futile !

It is like cutting the branch – but slowering the rate !

Page 7: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

7,68

7,53

7,38

7,23

7,09

6,95

6,81

6,67

6,54

6,417,84

8,00

390 ppm

0

10

20

30

40

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2016 2017 2019

Assume a 20% emission reduction in ten years For the entire world!

Current CO2 concentration

Reduced emissions

Gt C

arbo

n

Page 8: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

7,68

7,53

7,38

7,23

7,09

6,95

6,81

6,67

6,54

6,417,84

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86

8,00

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2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2016 2017 2019Accu

mulation

Emissions

Gig

aton

nes

Car

bon

But, carbon dioxide accumulate in the air

Page 9: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Accumulated

413ppm

7,68

7,53

7,38

7,23

7,09

6,95

6,81

6,67

6,54

6,417,84

16

24

31

38

46

53

60

67

73

80

86

8,00

389ppm

0

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370

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2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2016 2017 2019

Atm

osph

eric

CO

2 co

ncen

tratio

n, p

pm

Emissions

Gig

aton

nes

Car

bon

Thus, even a bold emisson reduction will lead to a disastous increase in concentration

Page 10: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Numbers

Why emission reductions will not be enough

The real problem: climate tippings

Page 11: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Antarctic ozone Arctic summer sea-iceArctic permafrost (going on)Atlantic thermohaline circulation (NADW)El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO)Indian summer monsoonSahara/Sahel and West African monsoonAmazon rainforestBoreal forestAntarctic Bottom WaterArctic ozone

Tipping points = the Humpty Dumpty effect

FG

FGFG

Tipping points:

Non-linear changes – a fast change, followed by a very long recovery time

The tipping level

The tipping level

Systems prone to tipping:

Page 12: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

The CO2 accumulates in the atmosphere

Page 13: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

280

300

350

400

387

Risk for tipping increase considerably over 350 ppm

ppm CO2

Page 14: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Tipping points of the global system, example: Arctic sea ice

FG

Tipping level

The melting of the Arctic ice cap

– Tipping cause: Decrease of the ice-cap decreases albedo

more melting further albedo

decrease sweet water release– Possible result:

Sweet water from the polar cap close NADW

– Transition timescale: 10 years

No return

FGFGFGFG

Page 15: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected] FG

Page 16: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Numbers

Why emission reductions will not be enough The real problem: climate tippings

Carbon removal as a necessary complement

Page 17: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Gt/yr

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

0

Assume, a radical emission reduction

90%

This will not solve the problems

Page 18: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Numbers

Why emission reductions will not be enough

The real problem: climate tippings

Carbon removal as a necessary complement

Char as climate mitigation

Page 19: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

By that, carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere.The process is called photosynthesis

/C(H2O)/n

/C(H2O)/n

/C(H2O)/n

/C(H2O)/n

/C(H2O)/n

/C(H2O)/n

When plants add solar energy to the carbon dioxide molecules,

carbon dioxide is converted into biomass

FG

Carbon sequestration

Page 20: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

However…

/C(H2O)/n /C(H2O)/n/C(H2O)/n

/C(H2O)/n

/C(H2O)/n /C(H2O)/n

After a century, or less, the biomass decomposes and releases the carbon dioxide again

It is like putting dirt under the carpet. It will reveal…

FG

Carbon sequestration

Page 21: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Gt/yr

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

0

A radical emission reduction can solve the problems!

At this time,the CO2 levelstops rising !

1 Gtnet seque- stration

if it is combined withcarbon sequestration !

Emission reductionCarbon sequestrationAtmospheric carbon

Page 22: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

• A combination of – EMISSION REDUCTION– REFORESTATION

and– CARBON SEQUESTRATION with char

may solve the climate problems

However, this effort would dwarf the Chinese wall, the pyramides and the

first and second world war – together

Page 23: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

If you convert biomass into charcoal

/C(H2O)/n

/C(H2O)/n

/C(H2O)/n

/C(H2O)/n

FG

Page 24: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

/C(H2O)/n

..and bury it into the soil..Carbon sequestration

FG

Page 25: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Then, you have created a pathway for carbon dioxide into a semi-permanent storage

FG

Carbon sequestration

Page 26: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

32 000 years old char !

Page 27: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Numbers

Why emission reductions will not be enough The real problem: climate tippings

Carbon removal as a necessary complement

Char as climate mitigation

Char production

Page 28: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Anila Biomass Gasifier StoveDesigned and built by Professor U.N. Ravikumar (Eng)

Mysore University, India

Biochar production

FG

Page 29: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Raw Material Pyrolysis Charcoal

4 kg drywaste biomass

1 kg dryhard wood

Wood burnsfrom thetop down

When the wastebiomass reaches

360 deg Cit begin to release

gases and turninto charcoal

AIR

The Pyrolysis gasesburn hot and last for

more than 1 hour

At the end of theprocess , the biomass

has changed intoabout 1 kg charcoal

FGFGFG

Page 30: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Simple char making at homeFill the bucket with biomass

Put the bucket upside down in the barrel

A barrel And a bucket

Make a fire outside the bucket

The char is ready!

The pyrolysisgasses takes fireMore heat!

Biochar production

FG

Page 31: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

The savonius pyrolyser

FG

FGFGFGFGFG

Page 32: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Lambiotte continouoscharcoal productionKiln

Page 33: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

1000-Hour Demonstration of Hydrogen by Biomass Catalytic Steam Reforming and co-products (Completed May 17th 2007)

2007 Bio-refinery Conversion Project at University of Georgia

Danny Day, Eprida

Page 34: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Commercial Facilty in Blakely, Georgia

Biomass Conversion to Activated Carbon and Electricity

Danny Day, Eprida

Page 35: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Is there enough biomass for 2Gt?• Global cereal production: 2 Gt

– Straw: 2 Gt 0.5 Gt char• World wood fuel, 1.7 Gt pyrolysis burning

– 0.42 Gt char– paper: 0.3 Gt char

• Improved household burning by the poor (Pyrolysing stoves)– 0.4 Gt char

• Changed forestry and agricultural practice (5%)– 0.6 Gt Total: 2.2 Gt char

Page 36: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Numbers

Why emission reductions will not be enough

The real problem: climate tippings

Carbon removal as a necessary complement

Char as climate mitigation

Char production

Biochar improves soil fertility

Page 37: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Charcoal works as an adsorption lattice for micro-organsism and

nutrient particles

FG

Biochar soils

Page 38: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

1 gramme of well-made charcoal will have an inner

area of about 400 sq. meters

FG

Biochar soils

Page 39: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Which means that one bag of barbeque char …will have an inner area of 1 sq. km!

FG

FG

Biochar soils

Page 40: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

The plants seek contact with microorganisms

Richard Haard, February 12,

2007

FG

Charcoal after one year of application

Biochar soils

Page 41: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Charcoal addition to the soil provides nutrient and water storage for mycorrhizal fungi

Their hyphae invade charcoal pores and support spore reproductionOgawa Kansai Environmental

Charcoal is sought out by soil micro-organism

Fungi on New Char

Fungi on 100 Yr Old Char

FG

Biochar soils

Page 42: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Effects of biochar• Improve moisture retention• Improve cation exchance ratio (NH3+)• Improve nutrient retention• Improve soil microlife• Improve soil (and compost) metabolism• ’Shelter’ microorganisms from predators• Improve soil structure, aeration & water

penetration (glomaline ’crumbling’)• Improve soil pH buffering and stability• Improve root development

FG

Page 43: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Why?

• Humic acids are well known soil improvers– Char and humic acid complex are similar in

structure (which might explain similar effects)• The chemical surface of char attracts

cations (NH3+), and also anions (HPO4-) through ion bridges (Ca2+ )

• The physical structure of biochar works as a ’coral reef’, a micro-organism shelter

FG

Page 44: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Humic acids (there are plenty!)

FG

Page 45: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Complex of humic acids

FG

Page 46: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Char structure

FG

Page 47: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Oxisol(normal rain- forest soil)

Terra Preta(anthrosol: charcoal enriched oxisol, made by human activities)

FGFG

Page 48: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Numbers

Why emission reductions will not be enough

The real problem: climate tippings

Carbon removal as a necessary complement

Char as climate mitigation

Char production Biochar improves soil fertilityEconomic models

Page 49: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

If you want to emit net carbon dioxide:

Situation of today :

Page 50: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

And you must buy an emission permit

FG

You have to pay a tax

Page 51: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Tax and permitfund

FG

$Payment

Permission

Emission

The PPEModel

(currently used)

The economist solution:Climate problems fromapproved carbon dioxide!

Page 52: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

The arguments for biochar• The environmental argument

– Emission reduction is not enough, must be completed with carbon removal

• The chemical arguments:– Char is stable, an easy way to remove CO2

– Charring by-products: Heat and chemical raw material• The biological argument:

– Char improve the soils• The social argument:

– Charring stoves are healthier and not smoky

FG

Page 53: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Is that enough?

FG

Page 54: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Probably not

FG

The arguments don’t speak to our immediate self-interest

Page 55: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

To really get people’s attention,

you have to talk money

FG

Page 56: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

What about a fair carbon tax?

FG

Page 57: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

/C(H2O)/n

Carbon sequestration

fund$

FG

Sequestration

Validation

Payment

The SVPmodel

Another solution:Climate problems reducedby payment for sequestration!Alleviating:•Atmospheric CO2•Unemployment•Economy, if combined with emission tax•Global economic imbalance

Page 58: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

An example1. A farmer may get 7.2 tonne per ha in seed

production2. That implies: 4 tonnes of straw3. Charring the straw gives 1 tonnes of char4. Assume a tax of 2.2 SEK/kg CO2 (Current) 5. 2.2 SEK/kg CO2 = 8074 SEK per tonne C6. Income 8 000 SEK extra per hectare

-- about the same income as from the seed !

FG

Page 59: Co2 ecounit

Folke Günther Holon Ecosystem http://www.holon.se/folke [email protected]

Thank you!