It is a well know fact that earth is losing her trees, and various methods have been devised to halt the all too realistic probability of a treeless future. One plant, in particular used to be our go to for everything ranging from paper to cloth and even food. Hemp or Cannabis sativa L. subsp. Sativa var., could solve more than just our paper problems, it just has to break a few stereotypes first.
It is a well know fact that earth is losing her trees, and various methods have been devised to halt the all too realistic probability of a treeless future. One plant, in particular used to be our go to for everything ranging from paper to cloth and even food. Hemp or Cannabis sativa L. subsp. Sativa var., could solve more than just our paper problems, it just has to break a few stereotypes first.
10/10/2008 5:33:00 PM
by Alternative Channel's Youth Contributor Cody Larocque
It is a well know fact that earth is losing her trees, and various methods have been devised to halt the all too realistic probability of a treeless future. We've tried every thing from introducing; reusing used paper, starting up protected and monitored sources for paper and wood, but none have the impact that is needed for a true sustainable shift. One plant, in particular used to be our go to for everything ranging from paper to cloth and even food. Hemp or Cannabis sativa L. subsp. Sativa var., could solve more than just our paper problems, it just has to break a few stereotypes first.
The hemp plant is the extremely low THC(less than 0.3%) producing brother of Cannabis Indica, which is the drug producing variant. Hemp grown for commercial purposes is know as industrial hemp, which has a multitude of uses, outside of high tensile strength cordage which it is traditionally known for. Hemp can be used to replace paper, the harmful chemicals found in cosmetics and plastics, as well as possessing the potential for becoming a bio fuel. Hemp also requires very little to no pesticides, no herbicides and is an excellent controller of soil erosion. Hemp, today is often used in textile manufacturing in which it is often blended with other natural fibers from flax or cotton and sometimes silk. Hemp fibers are also used to strengthen cement in both Europe and Asia. It has also gained popularity as a health food due to its highly nutritious disposition. High in essential amino-acids, protein and fiber, with the potential to be made into a variety of products ranging from waffles, oils, tofu, butter, flour, protein mix, grains and a non-dairy milk the possibilities for this overachieving plant are enormous.
There is a down side, the conservative and often negative view held towards this plant family inhibits its vast potential as a solution to many of our "green" problems. In 1916 the USDA created a paper from hemp pulp that was as much as one seventh less sulfur polluting then wood pulp, if sulfur was used and none if soda ash was used to break down the Bast fibers and did not use bleach, instead safely used Hydrogen peroxide to turn the paper white. Had this process been legalized, today we would be using 70% less wood pulp for including computer paper, cardboard and paper bags. Interesting fact so how come we don't?
All is not lost in the Hemp story, slowly as both the environment and a sustainable life become the new ideal life, this noble underestimated plant is slowly starting to impress big business and farmers as a viable crop option. With the vast functionality that nature gave this plant, we'd be foolish not to use the gift she's given us.
For more articles visit www.alternativechannel.tv
It is a well know fact that earth is losing her trees, and various methods have been devised to halt the all too realistic probability of a treeless future. One plant, in particular used to be our go to for everything ranging from paper to cloth and even food. Hemp or Cannabis sativa L. subsp. Sativa var., could solve more than just our paper problems, it just has to break a few stereotypes first.
10/10/2008 5:33:00 PM
by Alternative Channel's Youth Contributor Cody Larocque
It is a well know fact that earth is losing her trees, and various methods have been devised to halt the all too realistic probability of a treeless future. We've tried every thing from introducing; reusing used paper, starting up protected and monitored sources for paper and wood, but none have the impact that is needed for a true sustainable shift. One plant, in particular used to be our go to for everything ranging from paper to cloth and even food. Hemp or Cannabis sativa L. subsp. Sativa var., could solve more than just our paper problems, it just has to break a few stereotypes first.
The hemp plant is the extremely low THC(less than 0.3%) producing brother of Cannabis Indica, which is the drug producing variant. Hemp grown for commercial purposes is know as industrial hemp, which has a multitude of uses, outside of high tensile strength cordage which it is traditionally known for. Hemp can be used to replace paper, the harmful chemicals found in cosmetics and plastics, as well as possessing the potential for becoming a bio fuel. Hemp also requires very little to no pesticides, no herbicides and is an excellent controller of soil erosion. Hemp, today is often used in textile manufacturing in which it is often blended with other natural fibers from flax or cotton and sometimes silk. Hemp fibers are also used to strengthen cement in both Europe and Asia. It has also gained popularity as a health food due to its highly nutritious disposition. High in essential amino-acids, protein and fiber, with the potential to be made into a variety of products ranging from waffles, oils, tofu, butter, flour, protein mix, grains and a non-dairy milk the possibilities for this overachieving plant are enormous.
There is a down side, the conservative and often negative view held towards this plant family inhibits its vast potential as a solution to many of our "green" problems. In 1916 the USDA created a paper from hemp pulp that was as much as one seventh less sulfur polluting then wood pulp, if sulfur was used and none if soda ash was used to break down the Bast fibers and did not use bleach, instead safely used Hydrogen peroxide to turn the paper white. Had this process been legalized, today we would be using 70% less wood pulp for including computer paper, cardboard and paper bags. Interesting fact so how come we don't?
All is not lost in the Hemp story, slowly as both the environment and a sustainable life become the new ideal life, this noble underestimated plant is slowly starting to impress big business and farmers as a viable crop option. With the vast functionality that nature gave this plant, we'd be foolish not to use the gift she's given us.
For more articles visit www.alternativechannel.tv
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