And here’s another snippet:
In February, more than 500 scientists and economists wrote to President Joe Biden and other leaders to warn that converting wood into power is a carbon disaster, a forest destroyer and an absurdly inefficient way to generate energy… Trees are more valuable alive than dead.
According to Earth Institute, woody biomass power plants actually produce more “global warming CO2” than fossil fuel plants; i.e., 65% more CO2 per megawatt hour than modern coal plants and 285% more CO2 than natural gas. Meanwhile Canada and the U.S. deliver wood to Europe like there’s no tomorrow.
According to LSA – University of Colorado/Boulder: Wood accounts for 79% of biomass production and accounts for 3.2% of energy production. Wood dominates the worldwide biomass industry. Today 50% of EU renewable energy is based upon biomass, and it is on the rise.
April 30th, 2021, 6:00AM / BY Anna Torres
Filmmaker and Director Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu will talk about the role of storytelling in her film “Kapaemahu” in a panel discussion presented by the Mother Tongue Film Festival on May 14. (Still from “Kapaemahu,” courtesy of Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu)
An evening with Food Journalist Mark Bittman, the Mother Tongue Film Festival and a virtual science café; stream these free programs and more this May through the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.
Sixth Annual Mother Tongue Film Festival
Ongoing Filmmaker and Director Christopher Auchter will talk about the role of storytelling in his film “The Mountain of Sgaana” in a panel discussion on May 14. (Still from “The Mountain of Sgaana,” courtesy of Christopher Auchter)
Dutch to limit forest biomass subsidies, possibly signaling EU sea change
by Justin Catanoso on 9 March 2021
The Dutch Parliament in February voted to disallow the issuing of new subsidies for 50 planned forest biomass-for-heat plants, a small, but potentially key victory for researchers and activists who say that the burning of forests to make energy is not only not carbon neutral, but is dirtier than burning coal and bad climate policy.
With public opinion opposing forest biomass as a climate solution now growing in the EU, the decision by the Netherlands could be a bellwether. In June, the EU will review its Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), whether to continue allowing biomass subsidies and not counting biomass emissions at the smokestack.
Margot and Bill Moomaw asked the town to allow them to address nuisance vegetation, particularly bur reed, that has taken hold in their pond since they treated it for Eurasian milfoil nine years ago. With this submission, the Moomaws are requesting approval for a multi-year pond management plan, beginning with hydro-raking to remove the accumulated biomass, muck and silt in order to create better conditions for aquatic species, and to restore depth to the pond, the couple wrote in a letter supporting their application. Post-hydro-raking, annual assessments of the pond will determine the use of targeted chemical means to control emergent nuisance vegetation with agents that are considered safe for aquatic species and humans.