Biochar is a type of charcoal created when organic waste is burned in a low-oxygen environment—and its use is already yielding promising results. Research shows that when applied, it can improve soil health, increase the water-holding capacity of soil, bolster carbon sequestration, and improve crop yields. Unfortunately, because this testing has been carried out using diverse types of biochar in varied soils and conditions, these results have been relatively inconsistent.

The Biochar Research Network Act would help us achieve more conclusive results by testing a common set of biochar types across multiple sites and conditions.