Looking at the fuel types used to supply electric power to our region this morning, I see the picture is worse than normal. Not only do we have #fossilfuels supplying nearly everything, the highest percentage is #biomass. The problem here is that the mighty #draxpowerplant runs mainly on *imported* wood pellets which is largely imported from the USA by sea. So, now that we have a war/conflict, how will the disruption to shipping in general affect the UK's power capability. But hey, isn't it lucky we have gas to fall back on! 🤦‍♂️

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drax_Power_Station#Full_firing_with_biomass

https://bioenergyinternational.com/drax-receives-100th-biomass-cargo-dedicated-us-export-facility/

Forest advocacy groups are accusing RWE, one of the Netherlands’ largest energy providers, of contributing to Malaysian deforestation through alleged biomass certification fraud.

Research from Comite Schone Lucht and Biofuelwatch suggests RWE dodges certification rules by using wood pellets imported from Malaysia, sourced from whole trees rather than sawmill waste.

Story by Justin Catanoso for #Mongabay.
https://mongabay.cc/4VF3FM
#News #Deforestation #biomass

Forest advocates accuse EU energy firm of Dutch biomass certification fraud

For years, a battle has raged between EU nations that claim their forest biomass certification policies safeguard against deforestation, promote sustainability and enable carbon-emissions reductions, even as forest advocates have argued that those policies fail to combat climate change, are badly flawed or outright fraudulent. EU policymakers remain entrenched today, defending their certification schemes as […]

Conservation news

Tree planting had an overall minimal effect on soil fauna communities across multiple former ecosystem types at the global scale, but for a specific former ecosystem type (such as deserts), the impact on reforestation of former forested sites and former non-forested lands may vary.

#Afforestation | #Reforestation | #Abundance | #Biomass | #Diversity | #Meta_analysis

https://doi.org/10.1093/jpe/rtaf147

Rolling in: N.L.'s capelin biomass up 20% in latest stock assessment
The latest capelin assessment in Newfoundland and Labrador from Fisheries and Oceans Canada shows promising growth for the species, and positive trends that could bring it even further.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/nl-capelin-stock-2026-9.7124348?cmp=rss
Plant-based steaks: A strategic threat to the union?

As the March 5 trilogue on the Common Market Organisation approaches, the question of food denominations returns, even though the existing framework has been validated.

POLITICO
«The seven-decadal #biodiversity loss was halted with improvements in fish #biomass, body condition, #species #diversity, and initial recovery of threatened #species. Eliminating #fishing pressure was likely key to this recovery, in addition to actions targeting #water quality improvement, hydrological and riparian habitat restoration, and vessel traffic reduction.»
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adu5160
#conservation #biodiversity #Yangtze #rivers
MPs in call to halt Drax’s £2m-a-day subsidy over sustainability doubts

Exclusive: Cross-party group ‘deeply concerned’ power plant may have misled ministers and regulators over source of wood pellets

The Guardian

The UK quit coal. But is burning Louisiana’s trees any better?
How Britain's new "green energy" depends on cutting down forests in the Deep South.

https://grist.org/energy/coal-uk-louisiana-biomass-yorkshire-emissions/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email #biomass #climate #ClimateChange #energy #GreenEnergy

The UK quit coal. But is burning Louisiana’s trees any better?

The U.K.’s push to meet climate goals turned a former coal plant into a giant woodstove -- powered by forests an ocean away.

Grist