The carbon benefits of fuels and forests

The Policy Forum "Carbon mitigation by biofuels or by saving and restoring forests?" by R. Righelato and D. V. Spracklen (17 August, p.902) provides limited perspective as a result of a single, relatively short time horizon and a limited consideration of the options available. Righelato and Spracklen conclude that the carbon sequestered by saving or restoring forest is greater than the emissions avoided by the use of the liquid biofuels. Although they may be correct given current technology, the case studies they analyzed, and a 30-year time horizon, their conclusion is dependent on site, technology, and time, and it does not apply to biomass used for direct combustion or gasification....

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