Friday, March 4, 2011

Wood Burning and Global Warming

We hear so much about the need to reduce the production of the so-called greenhouse gases.

When their atmospheric concentration increases, these gases, mainly carbon dioxide, cause the average global temperature to rise with potentially disastrous results.

Fuel burning is the main cause of the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Wood, however, differs from the fossil fuels such as oil and gas because it is a renewable fuel.

As a tree grows, it absorbs carbon dioxide from the air and stores it in the wood as carbon. This carbon makes up about half of the weight of wood.

When wood is burned, carbon dioxide is released again to the atmosphere. The same amount of carbon dioxide would be released if the tree died and were left to rot on the forest floor. Our forests can be a perpetual source of fuel, provided they are cared for and managed properly.

2 comments:

Averave White Man said...

Very well stated sir!

Unknown said...

Hello Tim,
My name is Thomas Reynolds, I developed a product called the Super Cedar Firestarter. May I send you some samples to try? I am sure you will find my product to be a safe way to start a stove with a catalytic combustor. In fact you will find that it can prolong the life of the combustor.
Please see my web page www.supercedar and pay attention to the comparison's page.

Best Regards,
Thomas Reynolds