Biochar is a product that can store large amounts of carbon for centuries, a concept scientists are looking into in order to reduce the carbon footprint of humanity. It is made from “burning” biomass in the absence of oxygen and can be added to soil to increase agricultural productivity. There is evidence that Pre-Colombian Amazons created biochar by covering smoldering plant matter in a pit beneath a layer of dirt which would prevent the flow of oxygen. Little did they know their efforts to grow plants more effectively would be researched far in the future in order to fight climate change, a cause that has direct effects on the land they called home.
