A study published in Nature Geoscience by researchers from Cornell University (USA) proposes a surprisingly accessible and effective solution to address the climate crisis: burying wood waste —such as branches, pruning remains, discarded furniture, or logging byproducts— more than two meters deep in forest soils.
The technique, designed for managed forests and timber production areas, aims to prevent this material from being burned or decomposed on the surface, processes that release large amounts of CO₂ into the atmosphere. When buried, the wood remains isolated from oxygen, slowing down its degradation and allowing for long-lasting carbon sequestration, even for centuries or millennia.
Global Potential Impact
According to the model developed by the Cornell team:
- If implemented globally between 2025 and 2100, it could remove between 770 and 937 gigatonnes of CO₂,
- This would be equivalent to reducing global temperature by up to 0.42°C, a significant figure in the context of the Paris Agreement
- In a national scenario, the USA could achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 by burying 66% of the woody waste from its managed forests
Applications of Wood Waste Beyond the Forest
While the greatest potential lies in forested areas, researchers also see opportunities in:
- Urban areas, such as tree pruning recycling
- Orchards, fruit trees, and agroforestry systems
- Post-industrial waste from furniture or sawmills
In the state of New York, pilot cases are already being studied in orchards exploring the possibility of achieving carbon neutrality with this technique.
Additional Benefits: From Fires to Green Jobs
- Reduction of the risk of forest fires by removing combustible biomass
- Job creation in logistics and woody waste management
- Utilization of existing infrastructure, such as logging machinery, rural roads, and excavators
Technical and Environmental Challenges
Despite its simplicity, the approach still requires research on key aspects:
- Possible methane emissions under anaerobic conditions
- Impacts on soil health and edaphic biodiversity
- Territorial and social feasibility in different contexts
- Logistic costs according to scale and geography
- The authors point out that large-scale demonstrations will be essential to validate its sustainability.
A Circular and Complementary Climate Solution
Unlike other carbon capture technologies, this method:
- Does not require complex infrastructure or chemical reactors
- Utilizes existing waste, turning it into climate assets
- Is compatible with strategies such as reforestation and ecological restoration
“Burying wood is not just a carbon sequestration technique; it is a path towards a more resilient, circular, and regenerative management of our natural resources”, state the researchers.
