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Posted by Patrick Van Haren on February 28, 2013

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New options in creating a better climate.

Almost everybody is aware of global warming and that carbon emissions are a big issue. A recent report by Dr. Johannes Lehman of Cornell University titled " Biochar reduces nasty nitrous oxide emissions on farms " highlights a significant but under-reported issue and a new potential solution. “Carbon Dioxide has a quiet but strong partner in climate warming crime – nitrous oxide. This nasty gas is usually produced on farms from animal manure waste and the use of synthetic fertilizer. In fact, nitrous oxide in agricultural soil has 298 times more global warming potential than carbon dioxide.” In an urban environment, we are not worried about confined animal feeding operations, but we are still contributors to nitrous oxide production. Every compost system that is not working right (carbon to nitrogen ratios, moisture levels, etc.,) can be contributing nitrous oxide into the air. While each residence may be contributing on...

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