Latest comments posted about Storing carbon in the fields on ChinaDialogue en-gb http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/2786-Storing-carbon-in-the-fields http://staging.chinadialogue.net/images/cdlogo.gif http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/2786-Storing-carbon-in-the-fields Cultivating crops with sensitive response to carbon dioxide would solve the food and energy problems. Fri, 04 Dec 2009 07:16:50 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2786#comment-9564 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2786#comment-9564 One way to increase soil organic content is to sow fossil hydrocarbon (FHC)coke as it were an agrichar. This may work as a biochar works, i.e., generating fertility as a terra-preta and capturing carbon that otherwise would be emitted to the atmosphere if the FHC was used as a fuel instead of as an agrichar. Pyrolysis of coal (China has plenty) will produce some energy from the volatiles, and abundant coke. If we take into account that the increase of soil fertility resulting from the use that coke as agrichar will result in an increase bioenergy production, thus, it may be worthwhile to consider this alternative. jlaine@ivic.ve Mon, 09 Mar 2009 10:33:36 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2786#comment-8499 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2786#comment-8499 I don't know if there is documented data or not, but our research has shown that organic farming can raise the soil's ability to breathe, and releases more carbon dioxide. Is this scientifically accurate? (Translated by Tian Liang) Wed, 04 Mar 2009 02:58:42 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2786#comment-8458 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2786#comment-8458 Professor Jiang, I was thinking could this issue be integrated with organic farming certification? Carbon-absorption in organic farming could, within a short time, affect the efficiency and production of the agricultural industry whilst improving the appearance and quality of the products. These factors could greatly influence the farmers’ enthusiasm to advance organic farming. If those products which had been certified as “organically farmed”, especially ones which didn’t look amazing could be sold at the market for a good price, then this could really work. However, it seems that there is currently no authoritative certification system in place, and random certification institutions will just serve to discredit organic products in the eyes of the consumers. Another question is concerning education and communication issues, particularly towards consumers. In actual fact, the majority of consumers don’t recognise where the advantage of buying organic produce lies, or may not even have heard of it before. Before the market has taken off, farmers are obviously not going to be enthusiastic about getting involved. Enterprises have a role to play here. If the government implements preferential policies to support carbon-absorbing organic-farming, both the linked organic farming enterprises and a large number of farmers will promote the industry. If this was to be coupled with a dependable certification system, then the market could be built up properly. In an era of commodity economy, the market needs to be the main driving force – with out the market, it is all just empty talk. --Liu Guo (Translated by Tian Liang) Tue, 03 Mar 2009 21:50:41 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2786#comment-8453 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2786#comment-8453 Organic fertiliser and ecology agriculture are both excellent ideas. But it’s not necessary to link them with climate change risks. [In general] you should do your own things, but there is no need to expand your actions to everyone because of climate change (by Fangfang CHEN) Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:05:27 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2786#comment-8429 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2786#comment-8429 Persuading ordinary people in the countryside to do this kind of work, which is not repayed in the short term, is very difficult and if the relevant parties push ahead there is a strong possibility that a situation will emerge in which people agree with it in public but oppose it privately. Ultimately, we should start with education and change the habit of everyone only looking after their own interests. (Translated by Jodie Gardiner) Thu, 26 Feb 2009 06:08:31 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2786#comment-8426 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2786#comment-8426 Will such simple methods really make a difference in China's carbon output? Thu, 26 Feb 2009 05:30:56 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2786#comment-8424 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2786#comment-8424 In fact, pesticides have been considered as a necessary part of the planting of foods & vegetables. Taking herbicides as an example, they can make the weeding much easier. Now farmers are less focused on planting, but rely more on doing business or working in the industry for income. The income from agriculture is too low – it’s a fact for China’s most rural districts. (by Fangfang CHEN) Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:37:56 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2786#comment-8419 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2786#comment-8419 As for the famers, they can collect the straw after grain crops are harvested, and use the straw to provide fodder for livestock. The dung produced by livestock can be used for methane electricity generation, while the waste products of this process can be returned to the fields as fertilisers. This process of "collecting straw, raising livestock, and replacing gas" can provide fodder for the livestock, while at the same time, it reduces the cost of grain production, and saves the cost for chemical fertilisers. In the long run, it helps to ease the problem of energy shortages. Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:49:34 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2786#comment-8420 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2786#comment-8420 Increasing the land's organic carbon content is a great idea, but we don't know how many years it will take to make it successful in most places. (Translated by Jacob Fromer) Thu, 26 Feb 2009 04:21:39 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2786#comment-8423 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2786#comment-8423