Mature trees are biocarbon heavyweights
With CO2 levels surpassing safe limits, carbon storage may be the most important life-supporting function Northwest forests provide the planet.
Northwest Biocarbon Initiative

This Climate Solutions program is no longer active.

The Northwest Biocarbon Initiative elevates the essential role that natural systems play in reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. By galvanizing the region’s emerging biocarbon community to develop strategies that increase natural carbon capture and build a vibrant restoration economy, we are positioning the Northwest as the nation’s leading incubator for biocarbon solutions.

 

Biocarbon Solutions
 

 
Healthy soil

Soil, our secret weapon against climate change

Soil—humble, lowly, everyday dirt—is an essential, irreplaceable, and strategic resource.

Hope and inspiration at NBI Summit

NBI Advisory Committee member Mitch Friedman, who leads Conservation Northwest, was the first out of the gate to offer his reflections on the 2013 Northwest Biocarbon Summit.

Seagrass

Blue carbon turning the tide on greenhouse gas emissions

By preserving and expanding areas of coastal vegetation such as mangroves, sea grass beds, and marshes, we can mitigate some of the effects in burning fossil fuels and turn the tide on our rising greenhouse gas emission

wheat field

A low-hanging fruit overripe for the picking

What agricultural practices have the most immediate potential for making a significant contribution to protecting our climate? Think biocarbon.

Guest Blog: Mycorrhizal Fungi - a big deal for biocarbon

For over a decade, scientists have argued that mycorrhizal fungi should be included in models of global carbon cycling, but they have struggled with exactly how to incorporate below-ground microbia

earth

The 400 ppm threshold

The only way back to Target 350 is to stop putting so much carbon pollution in the air and at the same time to remove a lot of the accumulated carbon from the air.

Cows grazing

Guest Blog: More livestock to save the planet?

A conversation between Chad Kruger, Director of  WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Allan Savory, Presiden

Building natural carbon: five policy principles

Carbon dioxide levels hit 395 parts per million in 2012, the highest in four or five million years when sea levels were around 80 feet higher and temperatures up to 10° Fahrenheit hotter. If we sustain those CO2 levels, or go higher as we are doing, a completely different world will emerge. 

Tanner Springs

Urban ecosystem services: the promise of green infrastructure

Urban green infrastructure is increasingly seen as an effective way to meet regulatory obligations for control of polluted runoff or high stormwater flows, while also generating an array of ecosystem service co-benefits.

Distribution of blue carbon

Restoring tidal wetlands: pioneering a biocarbon solution at the Snohomish River Delta

Tidal wetlands provide great potential to sequester and store greenhouse gases. Restore Americas Estuaries and EarthCorps are investigating the carbon sequestration value of tidal wetlands.

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Upcoming Events

Capturing carbon, saving money, and enhancing regional communities

Submitted by csadmin on

The Northwest Biocarbon Initiative, City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, Ecotrust, and the Willamette Partnership provided a briefing on the climate and economic benefits of natural infrastructure in Portland and the Willamette Valley, announced the release of Natural Infrastructure: A Climate-Smart Solution, and led a 45-minute tour of multiple natural infrastructure projects in Portland's South Waterfront area.

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President Obama delivers historic speech on climate change: but will his rainforest actions speak louder than his words?

The President’s groundbreaking speech on climate change was an historic step to follow up on his message to Congress that if they don’t take action on climate change, he will. But will he now follow suit by taking even bolder actions on forests?

The President’s groundbreaking speech on climate change was as an historic step to follow up on his message to Congress that if they don’t take action on climate change, he will. But will he now follow suit by taking even bolder actions on forests? - See more at: http://www.climatesolutions.org/article/1407967734-president-obama-deli…
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