Hemp farm, Queensland, 2021
Hemp has some impressive environmental credentials. It grows faster than most weeds, negating the need for herbicides and it is fairly pest resistant. Two crops can be grown per season. It is an excellent crop for carbon sequestration and it can be used to make a strong and pest-resistant building material called hempcrete that continues to absorb carbon dioxide as it cures.
We need urgent measures to stop plastic pollution. Our lives and future depend on it. Bio-plastic materials offer significant advantages for the environment. As they are not made from fossil fuels, they do not produce carbon dioxide when decomposing. In addition, most of them are biodegradable. Everything indicates that they could be an especially important part of solving the climate crisis. Hemp is increasingly being recognised as having tremendous potential in our natural ‘toolbox’ of promising crops for bioplastics.
Policy Statements
- We care about the future of our planet. A greener bent will give our children and our grandchildren clean/er air and clean/er water. Each of us must try to do our part to innovate, change and respect the environment. Our lives and future depend on it!
- Plastic waste chokes the planet. Petrochemicals are found in a wide array of household items, from plastic wrap and rubbish bags to plastic bottles. Hemp based plastics decompose in months rather than decades
- Bio-futures is one of the opportunities that will support future economic development, open the door to new investment and grow employment in regional areas of Queensland
- Bio-products offer a renewable and environmentally beneficial alternative to existing conventional chemical and fossil fuel refining processes
- Transitioning to biofuel power stations would lower emissions and create a carbon neutral cycle and thus reduced greenhouse gasses.
- Reducing our own dependence on mining will protect our water tables from contamination. Fracking would be completely off the agenda
Hemp fenceposts, 2023