Coordinated by: Prof. Emeritus Richard S. Stein, Assoc. Dean Stephen Herbert; with much help from members of the Pioneer Valley Biochar Initiative, Belchertown

The concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere has been increasing at a dangerously accelerating rate in recent years, believed to be due in large part to release of ancient carbon by humans through our increasing consumption of fossil fuels. And increasingly we see the evidence of 'climate chaos' which climate scientists have warned about for decades. What are we to do? Locally and globally we must prepare for the various predicted effects of these climatic changes toinsure our future.

You are welcome to attend this weekly seminar series entitled, "Climate, Energy, Biochar, & Agriculture" which has been initiated by the Pioneer Valley Biochar Initiative at The University of Massachusetts in Amherst, under the auspices of the Center for Agriculture with the help of its Director, Associate Dean Stephen Herbert. It is open to all interested at no cost and also available for student credit through the Department of Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences.

The use of biochar will be featured during the series which is being promoted by the Pioneer Valley Biochar Initiative operating out of Belchertown, MA at the facility of the New England Small Farm Institute. Biochar is a form of carbon prepared by heating biomass in limited air (pyrolysis) which serves as a soil "permanent" additive remaining in the soil for extended periods of time where it serves to stabilize soil and promote growth. In this way, biochar acts to be "carbon negative" in that CO2 is removed from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and is retained temporarily as biomass growth, upon pyrolysis this carbon is returned to the soil in an inert form where it may remain for centuries. It has been referred to as "coal mining in reverse".

Its use is not a new technique, having been pioneered by the natives of the Amazon about 7,000 years ago and has been referred to as "Terra Preta" and called the "Black Gold of the Amazon" because of the enhanced production of this ancient soil. Thus, there is an opportunity to perform a much needed service in helping the world deal with its serious environmental problems. We hope to "turn on" our students and others in the area to help with this mission.

What are we to do?
Locally and globally we must prepare for the various predicted effects of these climatic changes to insure our future. The greater per capita production of CO2 in the U.S. is recognized, so efforts to reduce this through conservation seem desirable. Also, the employment of energy sources not emitting CO2 should be considered. Unfortunately, there does not appear to be any one source that will do this alone, but some combination of them accompanied by conservation could serve.

It is evident that there will be a continuing and perhaps increasing need for energy in view of population growth and technological if fossil fuel sources are phased out, alternatives are needed. What these should be depends on location. In the southwest, with ample sunlight, solar energy is attractive. In the windy plains and at the seacoast or off-shore where there is ample wind, this could make a significant contribution. Much of New England is blessed by appreciable forest area, so its furnishing biofuel need be considered. Because of differences in population density and need for transporting bulky biofuels, such use may be more appropriate for more rural locations. Biochar use may be an integral part of this unfolding adaptation to this new reality.

Helpful links: http://pvbiochar.org/forum/;http://realclimate.org; http://www.biocharinternational.org

Complete seminar schedule:
Wk 1	Jan 20	Organization and advertising, Planning Committee
Wk 2	Jan 27	Introduction to seminar series, Dick Stein and Stephen Herbert
Wk 3	Feb 3	Climate change, climate weirdness, global warming,  Ray Bradley, Geoscience
Wk 4	Feb 10	Climate and energy dependence and agriculture, Stephen Herbert, Ctr for Agriculture
Wk 5	Feb 17	Renewable Energy – Basics,  Hugh McLaughlin
Wk 6	Feb 24	Renewable energy – biofuels: agricultural and forestry,  Masoud Hashemi, Plant, Soil, Insect Sci. and Alan Page
Wk 7	Mar 3	Renewable energy – biofuels: fermentation, Susan Leschine, Microbiology Slide presentation Part 1  Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
Wk 8	Mar 10	Renewable energy – biofuels: pyrolysis, bio-oil, George Huber, Chemical Engineering
Spring Recess
Wk 9	Mar 24	Renewable energy – biofuels: pyrolysis, biochar,  Peter Hirst
Wk 10	Mar 31	Biochar – carbon sequestration, agricultural soil amendment,  Wade Elmer, UConn
Wk 11	Apr 7	Biochar – chemistry and the environment,  Baoshan Xing, Plant, Soil, Insect Sci.
Wk 12	Apr 14	Biochar – production and economics,  Tom Reed
Wk 13	Apr 21	Biochar, renewable energy, agriculture and climate summary discussion
Wk 14	Apr 28	Biochar – Field Demonstration
Contact for series: Bethany Desbien at 413-545-4204 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Stephen Herbert at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it