Study warns biomass will increase emissions

Apr. 19, 2012 – An international group of researchers have released the
results of a study in the Global Change Biology/Bioenergy journal that
shows that biomass will increase CO2 emissions.

The report was led by the Max-Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry in
Germany, as well as universities in Switzerland, Austria and France and supported by several agencies in Europe and the U.S.
Department of Energy.

According to an article on ClickGreen, the assuymption that biomass is "carbon neutral" or will reduce greenhouse emissions is erroneous and false. In fact, Beverly Law, a professor of forest science at Oregon State
University and one of the co-authors says that “The main objective of bioenergy production from forest harvest is to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but the strategy is likely to miss the
mark."

It is worth noting that the analysis was done utilizing a theoretical and significant increase in energy from forest biomass to 20 percent or more of current
global primary energy supply, akin to Europe's plan for renewable energy by 2020.

For a more detailed look at the report and its findings, please read the article on ClickGreen.