In urban areas particularly, wood-burning stoves are therefore not the greenest choice. While advocates of wood burning argue that sustainably harvested wood is "carbon neutral," recent research suggests that many of the climate benefits of burning … Our daily newsletter arrives just in time for lunch, offering up the day's biggest science news, our latest features, amazing Q&As and insightful interviews. Trucks dump tree trunks and limbs into a pile at Environmental Wood Supply in St. Paul Tuesday. Water and carbon dioxide combine in the presence of sunlight, and in the leaves, the process of photosynthesis takes place," he said. Save 52% when you subscribe to BBC Science Focus Magazine. The flipside is that wood fires produce vast quantities of particulate matter, tiny fragments of soot like those emitted by diesel cars. Look out for your Lunchtime Genius newsletter in your inbox soon. How much would the Enbridge Line 3 pipeline increase the temperature of the Earth if it does what it is designed to do? This fact alone is attracting many to wood burning stoves. Got a question you’re dying to ask? Unfortunately, it's not quite that simple. Individual donations are behind the clarity in coverage from our reporters across the state, stories that connect us, and conversations that provide perspectives. "Wood is a renewable resource, assuming that the forests that the wood is taken from are managed sustainably,” Bowyer said. Does climate change make predicting the weather more difficult? Burning wood is considered carbon-neutral because it does not increase the amount of carbon dioxide (a regularly occurring molecule but also a greenhouse gas) cycling through the atmosphere. Wood burning stoves are cosy, efficient (often three times more so than an open fire) and burning wood can be relatively carbon neutral and sustainable compared to … And trees, he said, have a significant relationship with CO2, one of the greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Burning wood is a carbon-neutral activity. ", If it didn't come here, it might end up in a landfill, he said. What is THE most important thing a person can do to fight climate change? Help ensure MPR remains a resource that brings Minnesotans together. The trees are ground into chips that are then trucked to the St. Paul District Energy plant and burned to supply heating and cooling to downtown buildings. “We'll have projects that are going on, [like] emerald ash borer removal. The study analyzed so-called stationary bioenergy systems based on heat from wood-burning stoves and from wood biomass-based district heating. But it wouldn’t be a good thing if all of us switched out our natural gas furnaces for wood furnaces. Share it here. Now it’s our turn. Welcome to Climate Curious, where we answer your most pressing questions about climate change, from the complicated to the too-afraid-to-ask. He explains: “Water is used by decay fungi, and as the fungi works on the wood, the wood is then converted back to carbon dioxide.” Burning that wood for … Some tree removal, such as for emerald ash borer, happens in the winter, providing fuel for the District Energy power plant that heats buildings in downtown St. Paul. Is heating with wood carbon neutral?— Russ Myers, St. Paul. The flipside is that wood fires produce vast quantities of particulate matter, tiny fragments of soot like those emitted by diesel cars. Why do I feel angsty and cabin fever-y if I’m inside for more than a few hours? Trees, of course, don't live forever. Save 52% when you subscribe to BBC Science Focus Magazine. Still have questions about climate change? Pay by Direct Debit and get 52% off an annual subscription*, Receive every issue delivered direct to your door with FREE UK delivery. A lot of that gets taken care of in the winter. But decomposing trees do give off carbon dioxide, and so does burning firewood. These contribute to climate change but can also cause breathing problems or even cancer in humans. But if a tree is left to die and decompose, Bowyer said, “the decay process is exactly the reverse of photosynthesis.”, He explains: “Water is used by decay fungi, and as the fungi works on the wood, the wood is then converted back to carbon dioxide.”. So, Guillemette said, why not let it heat up our buildings by burning it in a plant that, unlike your home fireplace, has pollution controls to keep soot out of the air? Carbon is continually cycling through all living plants and animals. We’re answering these pressing questions on climate on the air and online. You can unsubscribe at any time. How new and existing technology could tap renewable energy, St. Paul's District Energy looks toward renewable energy, the St. Paul District Energy plant, which heats and cools downtown buildings. “Those sugars move down the trunk of the tree. What are the best carbon-capturing trees to plant? Are wood-burning stoves environmentally friendly? Jeff Guillemette, biomass fuel manager for Ever-Green Energy, said it’s been a busy fall, but trees are recycled all year round. Listen to some of the brightest names in science and technology talk about the ideas and breakthroughs shaping our world. It is also true that most people enjoy wood burning stoves because of the very real comfort and ‘cosiness’ factor that they provide. How much carbon is released by burning firewood compared to letting the same tree decompose in the woods? The thought experiment: What is the carbon footprint of an email? Wood — unlike oil, coal and natural gas — is not considered a fossil fuel. These contribute to climate change but can also cause breathing problems or even cancer in humans. "Eventually it's going to break down, it's going to create heat.". The wood is considered waste, said Jeff Guillemette, biomass fuel manager for Ever-Green Energy, which operates the plant. If you source your logs or wood pellets locally, a wood stove is virtually carbon neutral. PLUS a free mini-magazine for you to download and keep. Subscribe to BBC Focus magazine for fascinating new Q&As every month and follow @sciencefocusQA on Twitter for your daily dose of fun science facts. The plant also uses natural gas, but wood is the primary fuel source. What’s not to like about wood burning stoves? If you source your logs or wood pellets locally, a wood stove is virtually carbon neutral. Climate Curious: Is burning wood for heat carbon neutral? Those sugars are converted to wood," Bowyer said. In urban areas particularly, wood-burning stoves are therefore not the greenest choice. Trees absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, which is returned to the atmosphere when their wood is burned. Can we filter greenhouse gases from the atmosphere? Carbon is continually cycling through all living plants and animals. In urban areas, burning wood contributes other kinds of pollution that are harmful to people's health, especially the tiny particles in soot that can get into people's lungs. Our readers and listeners have been sending us some terrific questions about climate change — and, in voting rounds, have let us know which questions they are most curious about. Submit them below and be sure to check back and tune in. Despite the fact that it gives off so much carbon dioxide, wood is a carbon-neutral energy source – it may seem counter-intuitive but in fact the logic is pretty simple. Burning wood is considered carbon-neutral because it does not increase the amount of carbon dioxide (a regularly occurring molecule but also a greenhouse gas) cycling through the atmosphere. Discover our latest special editions covering a range of fascinating topics from the latest scientific discoveries to the big ideas explained. Wood Burning Stoves: Carbon Neutral Despite the fact that it gives off so much carbon dioxide, wood is a carbon-neutral energy source – it may seem counter-intuitive but in … Back and tune in fuel manager for Ever-Green energy, which is to! Guillemette, biomass fuel manager for Ever-Green energy, but wood is considered waste that is then burned energy., a wood stove is virtually carbon neutral? — Russ Myers St.! '' Bowyer said dioxide from the air, water moves up the trunk of the Earth it. Talk about the ideas and breakthroughs shaping our world download and keep got a question you ’ dying! 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