We can store carbon from the atmosphere, rebuild degraded soils, increase plant yield, invigorate our urban tree canopy, filter stormwater, remove toxins from the air and soil, and upcycle waste. All this can come from biochar: a special type of charcoal made from wood waste, nutshells, and other organic waste material.

Besides cutting CO2 emissions by storing the carbon from organic waste, biochar increases soil fertility, improves plant growth, promotes microbial life, increases water retention, and attracts heavy metals thereby filtering water runoff. Biochar can also be used to augment urban low-impact development such as green roofs, bioswales, and green space to manage stormwater and rebuild degraded soils.