Forget peak oil. The population of the finite earth has now passed peak natural resources of ALL kinds. The destructive negative feedback loop powered by fear, greed, and power grabs, that is currently bedeviling much of the planet, is strong evidence that this condition is well known, even if none dare speak of it. As [...]

If you are interested in any of: > grass energy > cook stoves that do not pollute the air with lots of particulate matter, especially carbon black soot > Haiti > soil stabilization and restoration > biochar > reforestation Then this video is very encouraging. The cookies look delicious. Congratulations to Mike Mahowald and the [...]

Tags: Biochar, cooking, energy, environment, stoves, vetiver

This is a co-creation project that is both open source and open knowledge.  It is based on work first done by Amanda Ravenhill & Hugh McLaughlin at CHAB Camp in 2010. In terms of the quality and quantity of biochar, and the cleanliness of the stack gases, this design is yielding the best balanced results [...]

Easy iCan in its safety can What can I do with some old cans? I can make a stove I can cook a meal I can make biochar I can be carbon negative I can change the world I live in That’s why these cans are called iCans Illustrated instructions for making the Easy iCan [...]

Description: This is an interdisciplinary activity for grades 9 – 12, revolving around use of biochar to mitigate climate change and promote sustainable agriculture / horticulture.  It involves climate science, plant science, and chemistry.  Advanced students will also encounter some elementary combustion science and thermodynamics, soil science, and botany.  The activity includes hands-on construction and [...]

        iCan, a pyrolytic TLUD stove, operating at 1000 degrees, using readily available materials Igniting inquiry into basic science   An iCan is an easy to make, inexpensive, hands-on teaching tool for harvesting carbon formerly in the atmosphere.  The harvested carbon is then relocated for appropriate environmental applications providing long term benefits. [...]

Explained here.

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An essay written by Alan Page. http://commongood.typepad.com/blog/, with background information from William Mitchell, and Ellen Brown Introduction: The “common good” is the collection of what no one person owns, but which all people depend upon for life.  A simple example is the air we breathe.  No one owns it but we would all perish without [...]

A longer story starts below the fold on the front page of the Lancaster Farmer: I-Can Optimism More on iCans here and here.