Trees: The Natural Climate Change Solution

Thuja plicata (THU-jah-plick-AH-tah) is Wolf Camp’s featured species on this 55th anniversary of Earth Day, a naturally evolved plant species adapted to Pacific Northwest climates that pulls carbon, the element responsible for a majority of atmospheric greenhouse effect, out of thin air and sequestering it into the ground for millennia. Other areas of the world might consider similar treees in the coniferae division as well as similar-sized angiospermae relatives.

Here at Wolf Camp & School of Natural Science, we have calculated that installing Thuja plicatas every 16 feet apart in Western Washington (or Psuedo tsuga in drier central areas of the state; recommended exceptions include where native oak prairies remain or could easily be restored) would sequester the greatest amount of carbon from the atmosphere while causing the least amount of carbon release over the long term. Thuja plicatas have evolved a compound which defends it against agents trying to attain its carbon for release into the atmosphere.

In fact, after its expected 1,000 year life span, it takes Thuja plicata several decades, or centuries if converted through a simple process of biochar, to decompose. Decomposition is the natural cause of the greenhouse effect because fungi, bacteria and animals (which eat living matter through the front of their bodies) transform carbon through the digestive process from a solid into gaseous state, releasing it into the atmosphere (mostly through the rear end of their bodies).

The biochar process paradoxically uses a burning process to transform plants into a state which cannot easily be digested by fungi, bacteria and animals. Usually known to cause air pollution and release carbon into the atmosphere, burning at a low heat in a low-oxygen setting (like inside an enclosed barrel) causes carboniferous material to transform into a coal-like substance. The process is similar to what most people around a campfire often do late at night, which is to throw unsplit wood onto their dying fire, watch it char into an unrecognizable black chunk of charcoal.

How Trees Sequester Carbon from Thin Air

Climate Truths & Myths, Facts & Common Sense, Practicalities & Fantasies

So many people argue about climate change: whether it is happening, what is causing it, what to do about it, and how to deal with it. Even professional advocates of reducing atmospheric greenhouse gasses sometimes only have a simplistic understanding of the greenhouse process, and that elementary-level understanding can undermine their own advocacy.

For instance, advocates often say “plant trees” to address climate change, and that works for those of us who were already environmentalists.  But if advocates explained the amazing process by which all plants take greenhouse-producing carbon out of the atmosphere, then I think even the most ardent opponent would understand and agree with how burning carbon causes climate change; once their denial stops, then we can tell the difference between those who were simply deniers, and those who simply don’t care that climates are changing.

I’m going to use my experience as a teacher to separate the wheat from chaff, and break down exactly what I’ve seen brings students through the noise and into a clear understanding of the science, politics, and personal effects of burning carbon. Myths are wonderful for generating social well-being, but tackling societal problems requires finding evidence which leads the real truth, not preconceived common sense. Common sense is comforting, but it took facts to convince people that the earth actually goes around the sun and not visa-versa, just like it will take facts to show people that trees mostly grow out of the air, not out of the ground.

Fantasies are a traditional human step through the denial phase of confronting problems, like in the early 2000’s when Peak Oil popularity gave hope that a market-based approach to carbon-caused climate change would be found. But practicalities eventually become evident, like now when it’s clear that a fight will be necessary to keep fossil fuels in the ground if we want to reverse climate change. Some will not want to reverse climate change, however, because either 1) they are in denial, or 2) they benefit from it, or 3) they have weighed the changes and gambled that they won’t be affected by it.

Ironic Climate Change Challenges

A secondary threat to climate advocacy are those who simplistically associate every weather pattern, agricultural and aquacultural problem to climate change. A wild card will be the response of Cliff Mass who often uses his popular weather blog to challenge headlines which link weather phenomenon to climate change, especially in the Pacific Northwest. He writes summaries of evidence showing clear climate change now occurring in the arctic and along low-lying coastal areas of the world. But he sometimes goes too far, making fun of tribes and environmentalists who effectively protest our biggest carbon polluters.

However, as our environmentalist governor Jay Inslee often does when he sees people arguing down a rabbit hole, we should keep our attention on solutions, but not “common sense” solutions. Common sense is often appealing, but remember, it took facts to convince people that the earth actually goes around the sun and not visa-versa as common sense would argue, just like it will take facts to show people that trees mostly grow out of the air, not out of the ground.

Projects to Understand Carbon & Climate

Build a Greenhouse & Reflecting Sunlight – At our Climate Change Training – Lifestyle, Debates, Emergencies & Carbon, we bring a small greenhouse called a “cold frame” to class, and do a couple experiments with it, including measuring the temperature when black soil is in it, when green sod is in it, when water is in it, and when a white reflective cloth is placed inside. Why? Most people understand the greenhouse effect, but it’s also important to understand 1) the difference between having the polar ice caps reflect sunlight vs. blue water absorbing it, 2) the difference between having high amounts of evaporative water in the atmosphere vs. “dry” air, and 3) the difference between tarred ground and roofs vs. green-plant-covered surfaces.

Plant Trees That Grow Fast & Decompose Slowly – We believe that planting cedar trees may be the best way to sequester carbon in Western Washington, Oregon & British Columbia over the long term. Why? As participants learn in class, cedar trees sequester a high amount of carbon from the atmosphere, and further, it takes a cedar tree decades, if not centuries, to decompose, making it the best sequestering plant in our bio-region. During this part of class, you will learn how to plant trees so that they survive and thrive.

Make Biochar Charcoal – Paradoxically, a strategy to reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere is to burn wood and other debris. If we burn wood at the right temperature and for the right amount of time, we can limit the amount of smoke it produces, and create charcoal or “biochar” which doesn’t decompose very well, and therefore, does not release carbon into the atmosphere for a long, long time – aka: sequestering carbon. The math on this process, including the difference between “activated” and “inactivate” biochar, is currently being researched. In class, we bring a small “bio-char” charcoal-making stove to class, and participants bring home charcoal that they make.

Audit Your House – In class, we bring along some simple gadgets to show how easy it is to “audit” your home for energy conservation. For instance, a laser-pointing thermometer costs $5 and will tell you in seconds where you are losing heat in your home. Even better, you can often get free home energy audits from energy companies which are mandated to do this for home owners. The idea is to save you money, especially on the west coast where much of our electricity comes from dams whose carbon footprint was expended decades ago.

Install Solar Panels – What? We don’t get enough sun! Actually you do, because solar technology is no longer stuck in Ronald Reagan’s world of 1984. In class, we bring a small solar panel to class along with a battery to show how sunlight is converted to electricity, and we see which appliances use the most energy. We think you will be surprised about the many ways to reduce energy consumption.  Perhaps most surprising is how inexpensive it has become over the past few years to convert your home to an energy producer. In fact, many people are making money on it. Can’t afford the investment? Rent it for the same price you pay now for electricity!

Get Around Differently – Riding bikes, taking buses and trains, and getting rides are coming back into style due to smart phone technology. Why? In class, we explain how teenagers are driving less! We’ll also bring going to bring along some biodiesel-making kits as an option to work with, and we’ll discuss how the making of biodiesel and other biofuels have positive and negative effects on carbon emissions. Driving electric cars is excellent for reducing carbon in areas where electricity is produced with established hydroelectric/wind/solar power like in the Northwest, and if you really can’t to change your lifestyle to drive less, then how about a hybrid gas plug-in vehicle?

Prepare for Climate Emergencies – Humankind has always had to deal with weather disasters, but due to increased temperatures and more water in the atmosphere, we have now entered an era where we have to deal with them multiple times per year. The mega fires that came once per decade now occur 2-3 times per summer in the western US. Same with our Atlantic hurricanes, and Midwest tornadoes. No one denies that. So it is incredibly important, now more than ever, that we develop emergency response preparations as a part of daily life. In class, participants learn the best way to respond to an emergency using the Order of Survival, and the best way to prepare for climate disasters, including getting involved with CERT and other community systems.

Join the Fight to Keep Carbon in the Ground – Supporting 350.org, Sierra Club & Others; Electing Environmentally-Aware Politicians; Lobbying for a Carbon Tax; Stopping Oil & Coal Train Shipments; Shutting Down Gas Pipelines; Converting Gas & Coal Terminals.

Ready to argue carbon and climate? Pop Quiz!

1. How is coal and oil geologically created?
2. What are bogs as compared to other wetlands?
3. How is charcoal or “biochar” created and how does it sequester carbon?
4. Where do trees and other plants get most of their mass?
5. Which tree or plant can best sequester carbon in your environment?
6. Where is most carbon sequestered in the world every day?
7. What has been the quantity of carbon in the atmosphere over time?
8. What have global temperatures been in relation to carbon in the atmosphere?
9. When do temperatures change in relation to carbon increases and decreases in the atmosphere?
10. Why did ocean and atmospheric temperatures rise between 1998-2012, while surface temperatures rose very little?
11. What does water acidity have to do with carbon, and what has been the historic change in ocean acidity?
12. What has been the change in the percentage in atmospheric water vapor over the past century?
13. What were the causes of dramatic climate shifts historically?
14. What caused the mass extinction of mega-fauna at the end of the last ice age?
15. How many climate scientists question whether human-caused increases in atmospheric carbon cause global warming / climate change?
16. Do ethanol and other biofuels decrease carbon emissions?
17. What is the difference between burning petroleum diesel, biodiesel, and vegetable oil in diesel-engines?
18. What is Peak Oil, when is it projected to happen, and is that the market-based solution to developing non-fossil-fuel energy sources?
19. What is Fracking, how has it revolutionized oil and gas production, where is it taking place now, and where is it projected to take place in the future?
20. Would you be willing to live near or downstream/downwind from oil and gas fracking wells, open pit coal and mines, fracking sand mines, fossil fuel refineries and power plants, or near fossil fuel transport infrastructure?
21. Are there any other full solutions to reversing climate change other than leaving fossil fuels in the ground?
22. Who will be affected the most by global-warming climate changes?

Submit your answers by clicking here! Chris Chisholm is founder of Wolf Camp & School of Natural Science, as well as No Fossil Fuel Exports Through The South Sound and other environmental projects. He’s looking forward to hearing from you!