U.N. Climate Change Conference considers ancient soil replenishment technique in battle against global warming

Writer: Terry Marie Hastings, 706/542-5941, thasting@uga.edu
Contact: Christoph Steiner, 706/542-3821, csteiner@engr.uga.edu

Dec 17, 2008, 09:57

Athens, Ga. - Former inhabitants of the Amazon Basin enriched their fields with charred organic materials-biochar-and transformed one of the earth's most infertile soils into one of the most productive. These early conservationists disappeared 500 years ago, but centuries later, their soil is still rich in organic matter and nutrients. Now, scientists, environmental groups and policymakers forging the next world climate agreement see biochar not only as an important tool for replenishing soils, but as a powerful tool for combating global warming.

Christoph Steiner, a University of Georgia research scientist in the Faculty of Engineering, was a major contributor to the biochar proposal that was submitted by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification last week at the United Nations Climate Change Conference meeting in Poland. The new climate change agreement will replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.