About
Hi, it's me... Olivia Thierley
I started Bottom Up Biochar to give free and easy access to everything there is to know about biochar. This is my contribution to a sustainable and livable future for all of us. I am happy if this blog helps you learn and thankful if you decide to contribute its growth!
How did you get into Biochar?
I am passionate about climate protection and sustainable agriculture, so naturally biochar got hooked. It all started with an internship I did in 2019. I was supposed to develop a new kiln design to be used for dried water hyacinths. Fast forward… I left university to focus on building a whole business model around water hyacinths biochar. Now a year later, I have done two biochar feasibility studies, co-founded an organization and started the Biochar Network Africa.
What do you do if you aren't online?
I am co-founder of Char2Cool e.V. a German non-profit organization. Our focus is biochar from water hyaicnths as a tool for sustainable development. We are operating in Ethiopia and Nigeria at the moment. I am working mostly on the ground… developing our technology, improving production processes and supporting our partners on site.
Why do you spend so much time on this?
I remember when I started researching biochar… It was confusing! There were two sides; A scientific side that would overcomplicate things to the point where I felt too insecure to even attempt making biochar. And a prcatical side that gave instructions, but so vague that it seemed to have no base. I am going the middle way, trying to give easy access to biochar know-how. Biochar, bottom up…
We are living in a biochar bubble, with the assumption that biochar is a well known concept. It isn’t! Expanding our knowledge isn’t enough. I want to educate, to raise awareness, to reach out to the average person who still has no clue, what biochar is…
Why is it for free?
1. I want to reach people
It’s a bad strategy to hide my content behind a paywall if my ultimate goal is to reach as many people as I can. Climate change is the one challenge our generation faces. Biochar is a cliamte change mitigation tool, yet it is mostly discussed in the biochar bubble… with people who are already aware. I want to change that!
2. Biochar is a tool for development
Biochar is better known in Germany, yet I am working to set up biochar productions in Nigeria. Why? The worse the soil, the bigger the effect of biochar. In Germany we already have humus-rich soils, in Nigeria not so much… The price of biochar is a huge a challenge to industrial production. In Germany farmers are operating on a larger scale, the cost of biochar turns them away. In Nigeria there are more small-scale farmers. Biochar can be included in their normal operations without having to make an investment. By putting a price on my content, I am excluding the people who would benefit the most.
Do you give workshops? How can I sign up?
Right now I am not giving any workshops. Dedicating my time to our organization makes it difficult to plan ahead. I am not staying anywhere permanently right now. However, I have some ideas to bridge that… What do you think about online workshops or a full workshop design that you can use to teach your community? I am happy to get your feedback and input!
Are you interested in working together?
I am really curious to hear about all your projects and ideas. Even if we don’t end up working together, it is always amanzing to hear what is happening in the community. Just write me a short email explaining your project and how you would want to collaborate.
I like your work, how can I support it?
Thank you! There is always work to do…
- Share my blog posts with your friends and in your groups
- Join the Biochar Network Africa and engage
- Check my “Contribute” page, right now I am looking for translators
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Keep me updated!
Posts aren't enough!
Check out my ideas for future projects and find out how you can contribute…
Until then: Join the Biochar Network Africa!
…a Facebook group for everyone interested in small-scale, low-tech and practical biochar production. All my content is also postet there and you can find great discussions about biochar making, charing and application. See you there!