TEDxHilo - Josiah Hunt - Biochar and the Future of Farming

TEDx Talks
TEDx Talks
40,459
0
Published 2012-03-19
Josiah Hunt has worked extensively with biochar for several years now. A young farmer and agriculturalist, he has been researching the topic, educating on the topic and created a business focused on the production and distribution of biochar. While biochar is multi-faceted involving waste management, energy production, climate change mitigation and agriculture, biochar in agriculture has been the focus of his work. Josiah is a graduate of UHH and has been a resident of Hawaii since 2002.

In Josiah's TEDxHilo Talk, "Biochar and The Future of Farming" Mr. Hunt describes the process he employs on Hawaii Island for biochar use farming food crops. He clearly shows the benefits of using biochar in multiple farming efforts by clear players in our local agricultural community. Demonstrable yields were highlighted in this articulate and easy to follow talk. Organic farmers everywhere should watch this video.

About TEDx
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

About TEDxHilo
Hawaiʻi Island has a wealth of knowledge. Our rich Hawaiian culture blankets our remote living laboratory in aloha and we live in natural resource abundance. Our ancient history of navigators, farmers and cultural art is unique to our planet. Our diversity and pioneering spirit transcend Earth's normal evolutionary path. We move forward with lokahi and aloha in an effort to help create a global model of sustainability and abundance.

TEDxHilo 2012 theme:
"Helping to Create a Global Model of Sustainability and Abundance on Hawaiʻi Island."

To get involved in TEDxHilo please visit: TEDxHilo.com/
All Comments (21)
  • @Myxlplyk
    Good talk. Josiah is a great ambassador to charcoal amendments.
  • @joosukas
    I agree with Sri Ram, talk is amazing but cameraman failed to capture the presentation which would have added much to the talk.
  • @jamieholland8951
    Help save the world and get paid for it is very smart and it is cool to see how he's implemented it to change our world.
  • @MrSchpankme
    Soil Combustion - To get a fire you need three (3) ingredients; ignition, fuel and oxygen. In the soil nitrogen is always present (ignition), bring in raw material (fuel), air follows (oxygen), and without smoke, it all burns up.
  • @shivarampanda5236
    lazy or distracted camera man couldn't get the whole presentation wit slides but concept is amazing
  • @downbntout
    I'm trying to understand this biochar thing, but isn't it true that burning is always involved? Will someone please explain how all that smoke in the air can be a good thing? What am I not understanding? How can you burn up rice hulls or tree trunks or whatever and actually benefit the planet? How is the tera preta any different than the slash 'n burn destruction in the Amazon today? Anyone?
  • @alexanderzulkarnain3190
    what happens if charcoal absorbs nuclear radiation? anti-radiation or even keep radiation longer? which if a disaster occurs all farmers must dispose of their charcoal that has been planted for decades at a very high cost.
  • @FuckPedophileBiden
    i bought some biochar from your company and at over $47.00 for a small bag it is not affordable. While using it may be beneficial with poor soil when I used it  at 7% I saw no difference.
  • @Grandteaclub
    I don't understand why everyone want to save the world? seem to be a trend to do this kind of talk. but people love to hears this kind stuffs.
  • @anchorbait6662
    What?? It's not a magic bullet? Sounds like a godawful amount of hard work. Count me out
  • @3rty7
    this is an old polynesian trick.
  • @dustystahn3855
    When I see something  being promoted like this I follow the money. The people that are promoting this are the same people that that promoted the use of: synthetic fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, GMOs, mega monoculture farms (Frankenfood factories) and things like that. The results have been negative.The land, water and food has degenerated but that is okay because the promoters have made enormous profits and that is what it is all about. Charcoal is made from organic matter. Organic matter is needed to make the best fertilizer and it is natural fertilizer. What will be used a fertilizer if all available organic matter is made into charcoal? Here the plot thickens. Rock phosphorus is getting scarce and another source has to be found. There is phosphorus in organic matter. Make charcoal and Phosphorus trioxide is formed. Presto a renewable source of phosphorus to make synthetic fertilizer. There are usually two reasons why people do things: one which sounds good and the real one. Would you support converting organic fertilizer into charcoal if they told the truth?