Forest list archive: msg00009

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CO2 sequestration -Reply



Hjarsen Thor wrote:

>From the recent contribution copied below to the list, it seems to me as
>some foresters thinks it's a solution to global warming to make
distubances
>in natural forests to keep up CO2 sequestrations? I am shocked! Earlier I
>have also seen arguments on the benefits of making large scale
plantations
>to squestrate CO2. Plantations have even been made in the South by
electric
>companies in the North to compensate for establishment of new power
plants.
>By promoting such practise plantations will in the end occupy territorry
>that could otherwise be used by poor farmers.

>I find such solutions unethical from a biological and social view point.

>If you look at sequestration rates, trees are not very efficient for this
>purpose. As an example, sea water have a much higher CO2 binding
capacity.
>Thus, enlarging the contactsurface between sea water and the
atmosphere
>would very likely be much more efficient. This could be done by just
>breaking down some dams. This is ofcorse a joke since this solution is
just
>as unacceptable to human societies.

>A much more rational and far sighted approach will be to direct
activities
>and investments into a Global attempt of reducing the EMISSIONS. This
could
>be done by development and introduction of cleaner technology and
putting
>constraints on use of products which causes relatively high
contribution to
>the atmospheric CO2 pool.

>To make plantations or "disturbe" natural forests with the purpose of
>removing CO2 will not deal with the problems but only the  symptoms.


Young stands are a CO2 sink especially compared to pastures and
croplands.  In the Eastern United States, there is a lot of marginal
farmland and pastureland that should be converted to stands of trees
both pines and hardwoods.  This would be little burden on a few if any
landowners.

The reduction of emissions could be addressed maybe by taking paper
that cannot be recycled for whatever reason, pelletizing it, and use it as
fuel for power generation.  Fewer mines, less net CO2, less sulfur and
nitrogen emissions, and less use of land fill space.

Regards,
Vic




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