Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2012
Abstract
In the current debate over the CO2 emissions implications of switching from fossil fuel energy sources to include a substantial amount of woody biomass energy, many scientists and policy makers hold the view that emissions from the two sources should not be equated. Their rationale is that the combustion or decay of woody biomass is simply part of the global cycle of biogenic carbon and does not increase the amount of carbon in circulation. This view is frequently presented as justification to implement policies that encourage the substitution of fossil fuel energy sources with biomass. We present the opinion that this is an inappropriate conceptual basis to assess the atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting of woody biomass energy generation. While there are many other environmental, social, and economic reasons to move to woody biomass energy, we argue that the inferred benefits of biogenic emissions over fossil fuel emissions should be reconsidered. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Rights Information
© 2011 Blackwell Publishing
Recommended Citation
Gunn JS, Ganz DJ, Keeton WS. Biogenic vs. geologic carbon emissions and forest biomass energy production. Gcb Bioenergy. 2012 May;4(3):239-42.
DOI
10.1111/j.1757-1707.2011.01127.x
Link to Article at Publisher Website
Included in
Agriculture Commons, Climate Commons, Sustainability Commons
Rights Statement
