We’ve been contacted by Ross Ferfuson from The Carbon Negative Initiative: https://www.carbonnegative.org.uk/
Ross is proposing to build a large-scale pyrolyser in Cumbria to convert around 10,000 tons of biomass per year into biochar as a way of locking atmospheric carbon into soils. Short rotation coppice is the prefered raw material & they are intending to plant bespoke sites, & may be looking for skilled workers to manage them. There is expected to be a shortage of material for several years until their SRC becomes established & are keen to investigate supply from existing local coppices in the interim.
I’d be interested in member’s opinions on this. Does this kind of thing represent a positive move towards tackling climate change for the benefit of all, encompassing potential opportunities for the management/restoration of otherwise unproductive woods & coppices? Or is it a technological sticking plaster to temporarily prolong the overriding of natural balances in pursuit of excess wealth for the few (a business opportunity like any other, just with an environmental strap line)?
Please let me know if you have a view as to whether CANW should/shouldn’t be supporting this kind of large scale corporate initiative. It’s an interesting discussion with wide-ranging viewpoints; perhaps we can float some of them between us for consideration?
Please contact Ross directly for more information on the project. [email protected]