"Kenaf is in the Hibiscus family; fast-growing, carbon-sucking plant and is thus related to
both cotton and okra. Originally from Africa, this 4,000-year-old crop was used for its fiber.
It has the astonishing ability to grow up to 14 feet in one growing season, yielding
6-10 tons of fiber per acre and making it a great source of pulp for paper.
But researchers have also discovered (PDF) a corresponding ability of Kenaf to inhale huge
quantities of our most abundant global warming gas — CO2.
It turns out that Kenaf can absorb 3-8 times more CO2 than a tree.
One acre of Kenaf can pull about 10 tons of CO2 out of the air per growing season, and in
some parts of the world it can be cut back and regrown for a second season.
With proper management, a single acre planted in Kenaf could absorb 20 tons of CO2."
Miracle plant
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Have you ever heard of Kenaf?
Started by Shortpoet-GTD, Apr 22 2012 04:17 AM
12 replies to this topic
#2
Posted 22 April 2012 - 09:49 AM
Wow. Visit Bill Loftus' site too to learn more about it. He's the one making insulating bricks and more - http://www.environme....com/index.html
Kenaf is the fiber used to make burlap sacks. I didn't know that. And how perfect to grow it as chicken feed as well as to clean the air. Like the original article, I do wonder about how invasive it might be. Hopefully not like some bamboo. This is really an exciting development. Hope it pans out and takes hold.
Kenaf is the fiber used to make burlap sacks. I didn't know that. And how perfect to grow it as chicken feed as well as to clean the air. Like the original article, I do wonder about how invasive it might be. Hopefully not like some bamboo. This is really an exciting development. Hope it pans out and takes hold.
#3
Posted 23 April 2012 - 07:46 AM
First to learn about such wonderful plant on here. 
It will be great to spread such plant all over the world and let be more people be aware of it. Be aware of its importance and how it should be cultivated or planted.
It will be great to spread such plant all over the world and let be more people be aware of it. Be aware of its importance and how it should be cultivated or planted.
#4
Posted 23 April 2012 - 10:36 AM
Seems too good to be true.
The linked article's headline is "Can 1 miracle plant solve the world's 3 greatest problems?"
The first sentence includes "sequester huge amounts of carbon permanently."
To me, using the word "miracle" smacks of spin.
Have to wonder about "permanently."
Don't forget that when plant material decays or burns the sequestered carbon is returned to the atmosphere as CO2. The number of carbon atoms remains constant.
The wood of trees doesn't decay as fast as green herbaceous material, which is why forests are so important in the carbon cycle. The wood of a tree might last for decades or even centuries while leaves and stems mostly decay in a year or two. Now, if the fiber of these kenaf plants (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenaf ) is incorporated into bricks so that they are protected from decay processes, then the carbon incorporated into the fiber is sequestered for as long as the bricks last.
That bit about "researchers have also discovered" is a "duh" sort of thing. It is what would be expected. The amount of CO2 taken up by a plant is pretty nearly proportional to the amount of dry biomass produced. The number of carbon atoms is constant. The CO2 is sequestered as long as the biomass lasts, or at least remains buried. No longer.
Good stuff, sure. Miracle? Hardly.
The linked article's headline is "Can 1 miracle plant solve the world's 3 greatest problems?"
The first sentence includes "sequester huge amounts of carbon permanently."
To me, using the word "miracle" smacks of spin.
Have to wonder about "permanently."
Don't forget that when plant material decays or burns the sequestered carbon is returned to the atmosphere as CO2. The number of carbon atoms remains constant.
The wood of trees doesn't decay as fast as green herbaceous material, which is why forests are so important in the carbon cycle. The wood of a tree might last for decades or even centuries while leaves and stems mostly decay in a year or two. Now, if the fiber of these kenaf plants (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenaf ) is incorporated into bricks so that they are protected from decay processes, then the carbon incorporated into the fiber is sequestered for as long as the bricks last.
That bit about "researchers have also discovered" is a "duh" sort of thing. It is what would be expected. The amount of CO2 taken up by a plant is pretty nearly proportional to the amount of dry biomass produced. The number of carbon atoms is constant. The CO2 is sequestered as long as the biomass lasts, or at least remains buried. No longer.
Good stuff, sure. Miracle? Hardly.
#6
Posted 24 April 2012 - 01:25 AM
I learned about kenaf when I was doing a research on eco-friendly clothing, since kenaf fibres are used in the textile industry.
Here is the related article where I heard about this plant first, Natural fibres give way to green & help tackle poverty
Here is the related article where I heard about this plant first, Natural fibres give way to green & help tackle poverty
#7
Posted 24 April 2012 - 03:34 AM
still learning, on 23 April 2012 - 10:36 AM, said:
Seems too good to be true.
The linked article's headline is "Can 1 miracle plant solve the world's 3 greatest problems?"
The first sentence includes "sequester huge amounts of carbon permanently."
To me, using the word "miracle" smacks of spin.
Have to wonder about "permanently."
Don't forget that when plant material decays or burns the sequestered carbon is returned to the atmosphere as CO2. The number of carbon atoms remains constant.
The wood of trees doesn't decay as fast as green herbaceous material, which is why forests are so important in the carbon cycle. The wood of a tree might last for decades or even centuries while leaves and stems mostly decay in a year or two. Now, if the fiber of these kenaf plants (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenaf ) is incorporated into bricks so that they are protected from decay processes, then the carbon incorporated into the fiber is sequestered for as long as the bricks last.
That bit about "researchers have also discovered" is a "duh" sort of thing. It is what would be expected. The amount of CO2 taken up by a plant is pretty nearly proportional to the amount of dry biomass produced. The number of carbon atoms is constant. The CO2 is sequestered as long as the biomass lasts, or at least remains buried. No longer.
Good stuff, sure. Miracle? Hardly.
The linked article's headline is "Can 1 miracle plant solve the world's 3 greatest problems?"
The first sentence includes "sequester huge amounts of carbon permanently."
To me, using the word "miracle" smacks of spin.
Have to wonder about "permanently."
Don't forget that when plant material decays or burns the sequestered carbon is returned to the atmosphere as CO2. The number of carbon atoms remains constant.
The wood of trees doesn't decay as fast as green herbaceous material, which is why forests are so important in the carbon cycle. The wood of a tree might last for decades or even centuries while leaves and stems mostly decay in a year or two. Now, if the fiber of these kenaf plants (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenaf ) is incorporated into bricks so that they are protected from decay processes, then the carbon incorporated into the fiber is sequestered for as long as the bricks last.
That bit about "researchers have also discovered" is a "duh" sort of thing. It is what would be expected. The amount of CO2 taken up by a plant is pretty nearly proportional to the amount of dry biomass produced. The number of carbon atoms is constant. The CO2 is sequestered as long as the biomass lasts, or at least remains buried. No longer.
Good stuff, sure. Miracle? Hardly.
my interest enough to read it and pass it along for discussion.
On the one hand, I applaud the efforts of research into materials (natural or man-made) that may help reduce
or capture emissions. We need all the help we can get.
On the other hand, I worry about man's interference with nature and trying to "fix" problems we've caused.
The question of it being an invasive species is yet unresolved and the monoculture of it planted everywhere.
As far as "wiki" is concerned, I take that site with a grain of salt. It's fairly accurate, but not always.
It is not the be all, end all of information.
I like posting articles that get people talking and thinking about the issues and possibly, the solutions.
#8
Posted 03 May 2012 - 08:36 AM
This is a great read! If we can make papers and paper bags/packages out from the Kenaf pulp, we are then hitting two birds with one stone. Reduce the use of plastic and the greatest of the two: gradually lessen CO2 content in our atmosphere.
#9
Posted 03 May 2012 - 04:30 PM
Shortpoet-GTD, on 24 April 2012 - 03:34 AM, said:
I look at words like "miracle" in an article as attention getters only. Kenaf may not be, but it peaked
my interest enough to read it and pass it along for discussion.
On the one hand, I applaud the efforts of research into materials (natural or man-made) that may help reduce
or capture emissions. We need all the help we can get.
On the other hand, I worry about man's interference with nature and trying to "fix" problems we've caused.
The question of it being an invasive species is yet unresolved and the monoculture of it planted everywhere.
As far as "wiki" is concerned, I take that site with a grain of salt. It's fairly accurate, but not always.
It is not the be all, end all of information.
I like posting articles that get people talking and thinking about the issues and possibly, the solutions.
my interest enough to read it and pass it along for discussion.
On the one hand, I applaud the efforts of research into materials (natural or man-made) that may help reduce
or capture emissions. We need all the help we can get.
On the other hand, I worry about man's interference with nature and trying to "fix" problems we've caused.
The question of it being an invasive species is yet unresolved and the monoculture of it planted everywhere.
As far as "wiki" is concerned, I take that site with a grain of salt. It's fairly accurate, but not always.
It is not the be all, end all of information.
I like posting articles that get people talking and thinking about the issues and possibly, the solutions.
I think there is a differnce in 'fixing the problem you have caused' and then finding a way not to cause it again vs. using one of those 'fixes' as a justification to continue causing the problem.
#10
Posted 13 May 2012 - 09:15 PM
I always buy kenaf paper, it is a tree-free alternative to make paper. I'm trying to reduce my ecological footprint and become much more environmentally friendly and since I have to print out and write so much crap for school. I don't want to waste paper made from trees any more.
#11
Posted 14 May 2012 - 01:38 PM
I had never heard of kenaf before. I just singed up here on the forum because I wanted to learn more about being green. I just learned something new on my first day!
Kenaf sounds like a very good plant that can be used in numerous different ways. I am going to start looking for it in the products that we buy.
Kenaf sounds like a very good plant that can be used in numerous different ways. I am going to start looking for it in the products that we buy.
#12
Posted 14 May 2012 - 01:39 PM
I have never heard of kenaf. It sounds like an incredible plant and one that we should be growing more of.
I don't believe that one plant will solve all our problems. Then again, I don't believe their should only be one solution to this problem. If kenaf can play a role in reducing Co2, then why not work with it? It could be one of many tools we use to fight the problem.
I don't believe that one plant will solve all our problems. Then again, I don't believe their should only be one solution to this problem. If kenaf can play a role in reducing Co2, then why not work with it? It could be one of many tools we use to fight the problem.
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