Bamboo is more than just exotic and beautiful.
Rapidly Renewable
Bamboo is a rapidly renewable resource and able to regenerate to full maturity in less than ten years. Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on the planet that does not require additional fertilizers, pesticides or irrigation. Petroleum products are non-renewable and are caustic to our environment during extraction, manufacturing and as they off gas. Old growth woodlands are quickly being harvested and unfortunately mature hundreds of years later. Other renewable resources include cork, wool, cotton, jute, hemp and soy.
Reduces Carbon Footprint
Bamboo forests reduce our carbon footprint by consuming harmful CO2 molecules in the air. Our everyday activities such as driving, cooking and building operations release green house gasses that results in climate change. Living plants help bring balance to our air by digesting these gasses.
Reduces Soil Erosion
Bamboo harvesting does not result in soil erosion due to the presence of rhizome root systems that remain living throughout the harvest to renew once again as a young shoot. Soil erosion results in sedimentation of our creeks and streams, which in turn destroys native habitat for fish and other aquatic life. Erosion also causes the nutrient rich topsoil to be removed and require additional fertilizers when replanting.
Moso Bamboo
Moso bamboo, the giant timber bamboo used for construction, is famous for its strength and straightness. Moso Bamboo is referred to as "vegetal steel," it is Lighter than steel, but five times stronger than concrete. The largest building constructed of bamboo to date is over 55,000 sq/ft. Moso Bamboo has also been used to build bike frames, being a light and strong material.
Habitat Protection
Moso Bamboo is not the variety of bamboo eaten by Panda bears. Bamboo shoots are cut above the soil level which allows rapid new growth. In its native habitat, the bamboo forest captures more water from fog than it uses and provides leaf compost at a rate where soil is actually built up.
Manufacturing Impact
Bamboo poles are mostly hollow and lightweight. The majority of harvesting, transportation and manufacturing is done by hand. The lightweight material does not require heavy industrial equipment, which release more carbon emissions and have a larger environmental impact.
Words of wisdom
"Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo … survives by bending with the wind."
