This week on Carbon Removal Newsroom, we’re starting off with an overview of biochar and discussing the main questions and concerns around this technology, including:

How does biochar compare to other Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) methods?

There is a lot of interest in making biochar, but does the market exist to use it?

What can governments do to help scale up the use of biochar as a carbon removal technique? Are any governments taking action yet?

Next, we transition to the CDR policy agenda in the United States. We look at the California Climate Crisis Act (AB 1395), which would Codify California’s commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible and no later than 2045. If passed, this bill will set California on course to design a more comprehensive policy framework for CDR than exists in any state so far. The bill language is explicit in planning for technological as well as natural CDR methods and calls for measurable, durable CO2 removal.

We also cover geoengineering and its controversies, looking at the Politico article, “The problem with playing God to fix the climate: It might not work.”

Finally, our good news to round out the episode is that the team at ClimateScience has created a free online course on the science of carbon removal, with illustrations and quizzes along the way. 

Panelists Dr. Holly Jean Buck of the University at Buffalo and Chris Barnard of the American Conservation Coalition join host Radhika Moolgavkar of Nori for this episode.

Resources

Introductory Webinar: Methodology for Biochar Utilization in Soil and Non-Soil Applications (Verra)

Biochar Protocol (Climate Action Reserve)

Does biochar accelerate the mitigation of greenhouse gaseous emissions from agricultural soil? - A global meta-analysis (ScienceDirect)

The waste product which could help mitigate climate change (ScienceDaily)

Net-Zero Emissions Bill Advances in the California State Senate (EDF)

With the Climate Crisis Act, California can lock in a safer pathway to net-zero emissions (EDF)

Amid the Misery of Hurricane Ida, Coastal Restoration Offers Hope. But the Price Is High (Inside Climate News)

The problem with playing God to fix the climate: It might not work (Politico)

Why Geoengineering Is ‘Untested and Untestable’ (The Nation)

Climate Science: Carbon removal courses