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Trees are not a carbon processing factory, they are a carbon battery. If they die the carbon will be released again during decomposition. Once they are planted
by koube 9y ago
Trees are not a carbon processing factory, they are a carbon battery. If they die the carbon will be released again during decomposition. Once they are planted they must be maintained into perpetuity, unless they are planted where they will naturally survive. Maintaining these forests will probably involve energy usage that releases more carbon.
We need method of fixation that is both permanent and does not have the constraints that tree planting does.
- mholmes680 9y agoswedens working on it: https://qz.com/1010273/the-algoland-carbon-capture-project-in-sweden-uses-algae-to-help-the-country-reach-zero-emissions/ https://qz.com/1010273/the-algoland-carbon-capture-project-i... (wood burning power plant is the second subject, under How to heat a cold country in the 21st century section)
- EGreg 9y agoThey don't have to be maintained into perpetuity. The trees covered a lot more of the planet when left alone. It is HUMANS that reduced the biomass of trees over the last few thousands of years. And especially last 100. "Maintaining" the forests simply involves restraining humans from interfering. Or even better, chop the trees down and replant, using the wood for construction after fireproofing it!!
- arnoooooo 9y agoThat's not completely true. When the soil is healthy, trees provide CO2 to soil bacteria in "exchange" for nutrients.