Climate Change, Carbon and Woods
by Sandy, 21 March, 2008, 6 comments
Just about everyone now believes that climate change is happening, that this is due to an increase in greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere, and that we are the main cause. The most important GHG is carbon dioxide and trees have a key role to play because they capture CO2 from the air during photosynthesis and store carbon as they grow. Between 15% and 30% of a tree (by volume) is carbon, the figure depending on wood density and moisture content. After felling, carbon continues to be locked up in wood products and is eventually returned to the atmosphere through decay or combustion. Read more...
