UConn Department of Natural Resources and the Environment researcher Wei Ren sees the interconnections between the systems in nature and how each component impacts the others. In Connecticut, rich in forests and farmland, Ren sees the potential that could position the state at the forefront of a climate-smart agriculture (CSA) approach using an emerging sustainable practice called biochar.
Though it sounds like a nu-metal band name, scientists theorize that biochar – a charcoal-like substance made from burning organic material like agricultural and forest waste – has been a traditional agriculture practice used by humans for centuries.
Ren’s group recently published an article in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, where they synthesized global data from nearly 600 studies on biochar to analyze its potential as a climate-smart agricultural practice.
CSA is an integrative approach that goes further than sustainable farming methods. It aims to sustainably ensure crop yields to feed a growing population while positively impacting the livelihoods of the people living and working in the area. CSA enhances soil health and builds climate resilience, while aiming to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Read more at University of Connecticut
Photo Credit: Oregon Department of Forestry via Wikimedia Commons
