The North American Great Plains (hereafter NAGP) region is economically distressed and prone to severe ecological disruptions such as soil erosion. Its water resources are over-used and subject to pollution from agricultural fertilizers and chemicals, issues common to agricultural lands globally. On the other hand, the region is well suited to the production of herbaceous biomass that can be combusted directly for power or converted to liquid transportation fuels. This paper reviews the geography, history and current condition of the NAGP and offers suggestions about how the agriculture, economy and environment of this and similar regions around the world can be made more sustainable and able to contribute to a reduction in CO2 emissions and consequent global warming.
Revised: April 23, 2010 |
Published: December 1, 2009
Citation
Rosenberg N.J., and S.J. Smith. 2009.A Sustainable Biomass Industry for the North American Great Plains.Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability 1, no. 2:121-132.PNNL-SA-68167.