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Biological charcoal, or "biochar", is the product of processing plant and animal waste through a heat intensive process with restricted oxygen (pyrolysis).


Biochar is a promising carbon emissions reduction solution, with potential to remove net CO2e from the atmosphere while also serving as a valuable soil amendment. Charcoal and biochar are very similar. Both are very high in carbon content. For this reason, biochar – like traditional charcoal – can be used as an energy or fuel source. In addition, biochar enhances soil quality.


Biochar has the potential to address three of humanity’s most pressing issues: climate change, soil fertility, and energy security. In addition to improving soils and sequestering carbon, biochar can generate electricity, provide environmentally sustainable waste stream management and mitigate nitrogen runoffs that pollute waterways and endanger marine life.

Biochar cook stoves can improve health in developing countries by reducing exposure to harmful carcinogens associated with traditional biomass cook stoves, which are responsible for more deaths in Africa than Malaria.

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