Hemp has carbon benefits
Hemp has a carbon content of between 2 and 4 percent. This makes it an excellent candidate for carbon sequestration. Hemp can store carbon at a rate between four to fifteen tonnes an acre. One acre of hemp could offset one person’s annual carbon emissions at this rate. But the benefits don’t end there. Hemp can also be used as a source of biofuel. Some studies actually show that hemp can be used to offset CO2 emissions from more than one person.
Biosequestration
Hemp’s carbon benefits go far beyond the reduction of greenhouse gases. The plant is able to reintegrate CO2 back into the soil through biosequestration. To make charcoal-like biochar, the hemp is slowly smolded after harvest. The biochar is mixed with soil to stop CO2 being released into our atmosphere. As the construction industry accounts for over 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions, hemp can be an effective way to mitigate these effects.
How Hemp Reduces CO2 Emissions
Hemp is a great way to reduce CO2 emissions. It absorbs CO2 while growing and can offset the emissions of two cars. And since cotton needs 1,500 gallons of water to produce a pound of fiber, hemp can be grown using less than half the amount of water. The environment is further protected by hemp’s lack of pesticides. It is the ideal solution for farmers looking to decrease their carbon footprint.
Another benefit of hemp is its carbon-sequestration ability. Hemp has a very short growing season, meaning it can be grown twice a year, which gives it a double-dip carbon-sequestration opportunity. Some claim that hemp is the most carbon-sequestering crop in the world. This could encourage mainstream farmers to incorporate it into their crops. As a result, farmers can earn profit from the credits they produce and can then reinvest the profits into their business.
The hemp plant can also absorb CO2 from the soil. During biosequestration, harvested hemp is slowly burned, producing charcoal-like biochar. The soil is protected from the carbon escaping to the atmosphere by storing it in the soil. The construction industry is responsible for 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions and 40% of global energy use, so by incorporating hemp into their farming, this carbon can be further reintegrated into the soil.
Carbon Negative
The carbon-negative nature of hemp’s production is another benefit. Hemp absorbs more carbon than other crops during growth and processing. This carbon-negative plant also returns carbon to the soil. Hemp grows in unfertile soil, so it can be an excellent choice for land reclamation projects. There are many uses for hemp. You can use hemp in construction. Hempcrete can be an excellent insulation material and can be easily added to the soil for a new building.
Flexibility
Unlike most crops, hemp is capable of growing on a wide range of soils. It requires only four months to mature and is easy to integrate into an annual rotation. Another benefit is that it can be grown in places where there are additional crops. In addition to its environmental benefits, hemp can also increase productivity of other plants. Hemp can also be grown as a carbon-absorbing crop. For farms located in unsuitable or remote areas, hemp is an excellent option.
Bioremediation
Hemp can grow in many parts of the world. It can be grown in nutrient-poor soils and requires very little water. It does not require fertilizers and can be included in crop rotations. It is also a great plant for bioremediation. It can be used to clean up contaminated soils. Consequently, it can be used as an alternative to other plants in the landscape. This means that hemp can be an alternative for other crops in the same area.
Industrial Hemp
The best source of carbon is industrial hemp. This can be used to replace petroleum-based products. Its roots are two meters deep and require approximately 8,000 cubic meters of soil per acre. You can use it to make clothes, paper and other products. It can also be grown on farm land, which will increase yields for the next crop. The Canadian hemp industry can make it a very valuable crop in the future.
Let us know what you think? Do you think industrial hemp and hemp products are good for planet? Let us know what you think below.
