Contact Info: info@seachar.org

THE SEACHAR MISSION

The Seattle BioChar Working Group is a grass-roots nonprofit
organization. Our mission is to promote the widespread use of
biochar as a sustainable tool to fight climate change, build a
healthier environment and reduce waste. As citizens of a global
community we feel a responsibility to help create the positive future
we want to live in. Through  biochar research, educational outreach
and the development of technology, we will gain and share the tools to accomplish this.

A STATEMENT OF OUR VALUES

We will conduct our mission in such a way as:

To promote and
protect the diversity and equality of life.

To nurture and value
inter-connected living systems, by building community
around openly shared knowledge.

To re-establish balance,
through acts of reciprocity.

OUR VISION

We believe that with the sustainable use of clean biomass energy
and biochar,  everyone can help to manage the carbon cycle and rebuild
the health of our environment.

It’s time to get positive about negative thinking.

SeaChar.Org Endorses: The PNW-Biochar Declaration of Sustainability

Whereas Biochar Production creates value in all the following ways:

· Creates Energy

· Sequesters Carbon

· Creates a valuable soil amendment

And whereas each of these means of value creation could lead to a single end goal of wealth creation at the expense of people and the planet, let it be known that Biochar producers shall strictly adhere to protocols that promote the health of people and the planet as the process creates value. We propose the following be developed and adopted:

· Protocols for the Creation of Biochar Energy

· Protocols for the Sequestration of Carbon from Biochar Production

· Protocols for creating Biochar soil amendments

Guiding Principles

The lifecycle of biochar from feedstock to the end use which grows more feedstock is understood as a closed loop process. It is a cradle to cradle approach that declares the value of natural and human capital that makes a sustainable process. From short to long term views, the principles can be broadly grouped as having a political, economic, social or environmental nature.

1. Political

1. Policies

2. Democratic Process

1. Supports democratic governance

3. Round Table

4. Inclusive

2. Economic

1. Subsidies

1. Does not require subsidies for profit

2. Carbon Market

1. Supports with recalcitrant carbon

3. Social

1. Food Security

1. Sustainable production of biochar does not jeopardize food security by displacing land used for growing critical food crops with biochar feedstock crops.

2. Local Communities

1. Local communities are an integral part of the development of the Sustainable biochar industry. Local strategies for biochar production with citizen input are created. Local consumption of Sustainable biochar is prioritized and encouraged.

3. Communities and Workers

1. Family and small holder farmers are not to be displaced to grow or harvest biochar feedstock. Farmers should receive fair compensation for the biochar feedstock they produce. The health and safety of workers and communities should be protected. In addition, fair / livable wages for agricultural workers and workers at biochar production facilities are ensured.

4. Environmental

1. Greenhouse Gas Emissions

1. Sustainable biochar results in net GHG reductions compared to other fossil and biofuels when analyzed via a life-cycle assessment. Fossil energy used in growing, transporting and processing biochar must be considered. Converting land from wilderness or grasslands to plant biochar feedstock crops also releases GHG and is not sustainable.

2. Energy Conservation

1. Sustainable biochar production improves energy and resource conservation. Wasteful use of fossil fuels should not be replaced with wasteful use of biochar. Instead, significant reductions in total consumption, together with increased conservation, shall be a priority.

3. Soil

1. Sustainable biochar does not degrade or damage soils and should contribute to long-term maintenance and improvement of soil quality.

4. Water

1. Sustainable biochar production does not contaminate water and utilizes water resources efficiently.

5. Air

1. Sustainable biochar production and use improves air quality and does not lead to increased air pollution as compared to fossil fuels.

6. Biodiversity Conservation

1. Sustainable biochar production does not lead to the destruction, degradation or declassification of high conservation value areas; areas of high biodiversity; habitats of rare, threatened or endangered species; or rare, threatened or endangered ecosystems. Protected areas, including grasslands, wetlands, forests etc. should not be declassified or appropriated for biochar crop production. At the landscape level, Sustainable biochar production systems contribute to the conservation and maintenance of native biological diversity. More information on indirect land use change will be included as data becomes available.

7. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

1. Sustainable biochar is derived from non-GMO feedstock. However, if GMOs are used for the production of biochar, it shall be made transparent, so that producers and consumers can make informed decisions.

8. Agrochemicals

1. Sustainable biochar crop production minimizes, and eliminates whenever possible, the use of dangerous agrochemicals. Agrochemicals that are hazardous to the environment, workers, and local communities will not be used. Chemicals used are non-persistent and chemicals that are endocrine disrupting, carcinogenic or mutagenic in humans should be phased out. Preference should be given to the selection of crops and cropping systems that are productive and sustainable without reliance on agrochemicals.

9. Next Generation Feedstock

1. Feedstock that is currently under development but not yet used commercially should be developed with the consideration of the aforementioned principles.