1. This coming at end of 2nd day. One more day and then a field demonstration
day.
2. The conference agenda should anyone want detail (or possible answer to a
specific question) is at
http://scholarworks.umass.edu/biochar/2013/
3. Today's schedule is at:
http://scholarworks.umass.edu/biochar/2013/Policy/1/
Two very encouraging periods today were:
a. 8:00 AM Plenary with Prof. Johannes Lehmann and Hampshire President
Jonathon Lash. Johannes (Chair of IBI (International Biochar Initiative) )
was more encouraging than I have heard him in the past. We should relatively
soon be able to explain the variability of reported results. He reported
latest results that are averaging 20% productivity improvement vs about 10%
last year (but see below).
b. 1:30 presentation By Dr. Rick Wilson of Cool Planet (CPES), provided an
economic rationale on how farmers of certain high value crops (his example:
tomatoes) can justify purchasing the CPES biochar at a price where CPES also
makes their required profit. Emphasis was on being able to provide improved
yield to farmers.
CPES headquarters today issued a press release (see
http://www.coolplanet.com/sites/default/files/docs/Cool_Planet_Announces_Launch_of_Cool_Terra_Biochar_Soil_Amendment.pdf,
in part saying:
"Cool Planet has shown yield improvements consistently averaging 60% and
input reductions of 40%, combined with accelerated growth rates, in commercial
field trials in California, enabling cost-effective farming in regions with
structured drought such as California and Arizona."
Their favorable economics are projected with zero new federal incentives.
Most prior life cycle assessments (LCA's) have assumed no productivity
improvements. First commercial production giving carbon negativity in 2015
from conversion site already established in Louisiana.
4. Dr. Wilson was followed By Keith Driver giving new details on the
IBI-proposed carbon certification program being developed under the American
Carbon Registry. Webinar later this month.
5. The final presentation in that session was by Tom Stokes (Climate Crisis
Coalition) giving details on a carbon tax with rebate program (much like that
proposed by Dr.Jim Hansen
7. I heard several other high improved productivity reports today of a similar
character - much better news for low cost CDR progress than I have heard
previously.
8. For the first time at this conference, the evening program was 15 (?)
"Ignite " talks (10 minute max).
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