OxygenCredits.com - Leaf Power
The Leaf Economy: Currently a Wasted Opportunity
| Every year gigatons of leaves grow, producing Oxygen as they take in CO2 and sequester Carbon. |
| Then they mature and fall to the ground to rot. |
| The leaves are decomposed by bacteria using Oxygen to consume this Biomatter, returning to the air as much CO2 as the leaves took in. |
| The same goes for grasses and other ephemeral plant matter. |
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| This represents a considerable amount of untapped Biomass that can be used to fuel humanity, instead of rotting on the ground and producing CO2 anyway. |
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| Leif says, "only a few % of all leaves would make a huge difference for charities and the atmosphere" |
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| Coal vs Biomass
| Smoke from leaves contains less sulphur, uranium, and other emissions than smoke from fossil coal. |
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| The power plant does not need to be replaced, only the fuel. |
| Fossil fuels may be stored as a backup, but Biomass should be used first. |
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| Leaves should be harvested while dry and kept dry to fully benefit from free solar energy. |
| The minerals in the ash or the biochar must be returned to the growing areas. |
| Leaves do not compete with food production. |
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| As the demand for leaves increases, more heavy branch-bearing trees will be planted (motivation$). |
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"Turning a waste into an asset"
| If we steal "wasted" energy from current ecosystems, we can avoid expending fossil fuels, and produce less CO2 while preserving valuable infrastructure
("Coal power plants" become "Leaf power plants"). |
| Leaves seem to be the greatest unharvested crop. Unlike trees, leaves (thin wood) do not need to be cut down. Choice is, "Burn 'em or Lose 'em". |
| Compost and mulching are good for the earth (return the minerals), but bad for the air (CO2, CH4). At a minimum, methane biogas should be extracted. |
Future Related Topics
- The Art of Drying Leaves
- The Art of Growing More Leaves
- Urban Leaves: Carpet Farming, Curtain Farming
- BioGassing Vs. Mulching and Composting (wet biomass)
- Biochar bioFuel residential production for individual automotive use
- Desalination and Water Management
- The Future of Coal: Nanomanufacturing
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