Biochar, a form of charcoal, is changing the world of farming as well as bioengineering. The charcoal increases growth in crops, and also absorbs and contains carbon dioxide.

The difference between biochar and other forms of charcoal is just the temperature at which it is created. The biochar is created by pyrolysing biomass, which entails heating plant waste to about 500 degrees Celsius in the absence of oxygen, creating smaller pores in the coal. Other types of charcoal are created using twice as much heat, creating larger pores in the material. During this process renewable oils and gases are also produced which can be used as fuel or fuel feed stocks.

The biochar is being used as a means of sequestering carbon and reducing emissions in a process called “Carbon Sequestration”.  The smaller pores in biochar trap carbon better than other types of charcoal. Thus, it has been estimated that biochar can store carbon dioxide for up to 5,000 years. The use of biochar, as well as the manufacturing process, is actually carbon negative and could prove to be beneficial towards reducing global carbon emissions.

In addition to  holding in carbon dioxide, biochar is an efficient fertilizer for farming. Crops that have been tested using the biochar as a fertilizer dramatically increased crop yields. Biochar was originally used by Natives in the Amazon Basin approximately 7,000 years ago. While the Natives used this fertilizer due to the apparent increase in crop growth, the carbon absorbing nature of biochar was unknown until recently.

Biochar as a form of fertilizer has been utilized and tested in many agricultural areas of the United States, including California. Biochar might even be available to the public as a fertilizer for home gardening in the near future. This possibility is still being further researched before it is implemented. However, the bio-char is reaching across the globe quickly and soon enough, may even be in your backyard.

With crop growing abilities, carbon trapping power, and fuel being made in the mean time, Biochar is benefiting everyone as a viable part to helping combat climate change.