Biochar, a black powder produced from cocoa bean shells, has been identified as a potential solution to counter climate change. The process of producing biochar involves heating cocoa husks in an oxygen-free room to 600 degrees Celsius, which locks in greenhouse gases. As a result, biochar can capture 2.6 billion tonnes of CO2 out of the 40 billion tonnes produced by humanity each year.
While biochar has enormous potential to reduce carbon emissions, scaling up its use remains a challenge. The cost and availability of raw materials are among the major obstacles that need to be addressed. Despite these challenges, Circular Carbon, a company that produces biochar, is looking to open three new sites in the coming months. The company is also selling carbon certificates to companies looking to balance out their carbon emissions.
Another potential solution to climate change involves cocoa trees. According to a report, agroforestry systems that combine cocoa trees with other crops and trees have the potential to sequester significant amounts of carbon. Furthermore, cocoa agroforestry systems can also increase biodiversity and support livelihoods. The report suggests that cocoa agroforestry systems provide a nature-based solution to climate change.
However, scaling up these systems will require investment in research, training, and infrastructure. While cocoa agroforestry systems have enormous potential, the challenges of scaling up must be addressed to realize the full potential of this solution.
Both biochar and cocoa agroforestry systems represent potential solutions to climate change. While there are challenges to scaling up these solutions, investments in research, training, and infrastructure can help overcome these challenges. With the right support, these solutions could play a significant role in mitigating the effects of climate change.
