introduction
Kenaf, Whitten variety
Hello,
We are a non-profit group that has researched solutions having the potential to stop global warming. A Japanese scientist, Dr. Toru Aoi, has studied plants that absorb carbon dioxide (CO2), which is a greenhouse gas that is a major contributor to global warming. Dr. Aoi found that a plant called kenaf has the ability to absorb large quantities of carbon dioxide. He calculated that dry kenaf is 45% carbon. Based on his findings, we think that if you grew enough kenaf, which has a high ability to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2), we could absorb significant amounts of the troublesome carbon dioxide that is responsible for global warming. Kenaf is a fast growing plant related to cotton and okra. It is in the hibiscus family, has white flowers and is primarily grown for its fibers to make paper, cloth and composite panels for automobiles. It is being researched as a biofuel, with the hope of reducing dependence on foreign oil and lowering fuel costs.
How global warming works.
I think you’ll remember from high school biology that plants absorb carbon dioxide and sunlight and that is how they grow. Just like plants need sunlight to grow, they also need carbon dioxide. Plants create oxygen and this is what we breathe. Quite a neat system the Creator has made – humans breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide, and plants breathe in carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen. Therefore, you could view our carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles and power plants that burn coal or oil as potential plant food. So if carbon dioxide is plant food then what’s the big deal about carbon dioxide causing global warming, you might ask. Answer: Our output of carbon dioxide has been growing over the decades and there are not enough plants to absorb it all. The carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere and acts as a heat shield. Our planet gets warmer every year.
Will growing kenaf work to slow down global warming?
Thinking that we will be able to lower our carbon dioxide output by switching to alternative energies in time to slow down global warming is not facing the facts. We are too dependent on oil. Alternative energies will happen eventually but not in time to slow down global warming. Recycling, changing our light bulbs and turning down the thermostat are futile and will only put a very small dent in slowing global warming even though they are good environmental practices. How much time do we really have to change our ways? It might take decades to switch over to alternative energies and we don’t believe we have that kind of time.
Kenaf seems to be the best choice because it absorbs more carbon dioxide than any other plant or tree. One scientist says it absorbs twice as much as the rainforest and 3-8 times as much as a tree. The US uses about 25% of the world’s fossil fuels and yet we are only 5% of the world’s population. To be fair, per person in the US, we would need to plant a football field size of kenaf whereas the rest of the world needs to plant only a plot equivalent to 17 yards on the football field (good back yard size) per person to absorb the CO2. We would have completely solved mankind’s contribution to global warming!!!! We are formally requesting our government and those running for office to focus on this solution because if we don’t solve this – millions die. Our recommendations include growing it along the highways, power company land and other available public lands. We’d need your support and your lobbying voice. Please feel free to copy this and give it to friends. Visit our website www.stop-global-warming.org to see our letter to our elected officials and supporting documentation.
We invite you to become an Annual Member.
A $10 annual membership fee gets you a packet of kenaf seeds with instructions, and enrolled in our members-only email list where we can update you on our progress. Become involved in distributing this information. Send a $10 donation (or more) via PayPal with this button:
[If you want to donate money for us to plant kenaf for YOU, to make your family carbon neutral, we can arrange that, too. Call 727.639.2127 for details.]
Or become a Lifetime Member! With a Lifetime membership donation of $1,000, we will plant an acre of kenaf with your name on it and issue you a Carbon Certificate acknowledging the sequestration of CO2 made possible by your gift. You may pay by PayPal with this button:
Or mail a check to:
Stop Global Warming, Inc.
5127 NW 25th Place
Gainesville, FL 32606
(352) 374-8158.
info@stop-global-warming.org
Tax Identification Number 26-1483232