this post was submitted on 26 Aug 2024
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Just a point - biomass regenerates and sucks carbon while it does.
Coal gets burnt and stays out there.
I think we should generally differentiate between biomass that has been grown for the sole purpose of being burned (bad), and biomass that's just organic matter as part of the waste system that cannot be otherwise recycled.
That's interesting.
Biomass that is grown to be burned is completely sustainable, increases the earths carrying capacity and provides economic growth, profit and jobs. Triple bottom line.
Biomass burned as waste is just incineration with a bit of green washing.
The problem is that much biomass burning happens in the form of "take a mature forest, which existed for other reasons, and burn it for the purpose of generating electricity." This means that you go from having a large mature forest, to having large areas of immature forest.
This on net adds CO2 to the atmosphere until several decades after it stops.
Different areas - you are correct with what you said.
My comment was specifically on those grown to be burned for biomass. Taking a mature forest on the other hand is indeed a problem.
Actual biomass power plants operating today are buying forests to burn them. Those which run in the manner you describe are exceedingly rare.
Not denying that - wish I could though....