About Bamboo
Bamboo is one of the most successful plants in the world. It is very fast growing and is resistant to bacteria, insects and disease.
There are over 1000 different species of bamboo on Earth. The species of bamboo used by Bamboo Body is called Phyllostachys Edulis or more widely known as Moso bamboo. The Moso bamboo species is not the species eaten by the endangered panda. Our bamboo is not taken from natural forests or panda habitats.
Bamboo Body sources bamboo from a plantation in the Yunnan Province in southern China. The plantation is managed in strict accordance with the international OCIA/NOP standards to ensure our bamboo is 100% natural.
The bamboo used by Bamboo Body grows naturally without the aid of pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers or any chemicals whatsoever. The bamboo used by Bamboo Body does not involve Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO).
Bamboo growth vs tree growth
Bamboo is a woody grass and grows differently to trees. Bamboo shoots emerge and grow longer like the grass in your backyard. Bamboo has been known to grow as much as one metre in 24 hours! A tree trunk grows in thickness as it matures. It can take many decades for a tree to reach maturity.
When a tree is cut down it will need to be replanted. In contrast, when bamboo is cut down it is not destroyed and does not need to be replanted. Bamboo’s root system remains in place. The bamboo simply re-grows and can reach maturity in three years. Bamboo is completely renewable and sustainable.
There is evidence that the water use efficiency of bamboo is twice that of eucalyptus trees. This could be because bamboo has a different and more efficient method for photosynthesis than trees. Bamboo has what is called C4 carbon fixation which makes them more able to handle conditions of drought, flood, and high temperatures than trees.
Bamboo - naturally anitbacterial
One of the reasons bamboo is such a successful plant is because it is rarely attacked by pests or infected by pathogens. Bamboo contains a natural antibacterial agent and pesticide known as “Bamboo Kun”.
This inherent quality of bamboo means that it is not necessary to treat the bamboo crop with pesticides or chemicals. The crop is grown completely naturally.
Bamboo can clean water and soil
Bamboo plants can improve the physical and chemical composition of soil and water.
Bamboo has an extensive shallow root system. The root system stabilises the earth preventing soil erosion and sustaining riverbanks. The complex root system also acts as a watershed and can not only prevent flooding, but preserve water in the soil by creating a natural reservoir.
Bamboo can help mitigate soil and water pollution as it can rapidly take up excess nitrogen, phosphorus and heavy metals. This ability could make bamboo an alternative to sequester excess nutrients contained in waste waters from manufacturing, livestock farming and sewerage. The ICRAF is currently trialling bamboo to clean the polluted waters of Lake Victoria in Kenya.
Bamboo plantations have a large canopy that can protect the soil from baking in the sun. The leaves and sheaves from the canopy fall to the ground and create a thick natural cover that protects, enriches and fertilizes the soil.
Bamboo can help combat global warming
Bamboo is a valuable asset in the fight against global warming. Similar to trees, bamboo soaks up CO2, uses the carbon in the process of photosynthesis and releases oxygen into the atmosphere as a by-product. Interestingly, bamboo absorbs up to five times more carbon dioxide, and releases 35% more oxygen into the atmosphere than an equivalent stand of trees.
The bamboo used in Bamboo Body clothing has helped to neutralise the effect that textile production has on global warming.
The quick growing nature and versatility of Bamboo makes it an alternative to softwoods and endangered hardwoods. Bamboo offers the opportunity to preserve our endangered hardwood rainforests.
Bamboo is a livelihood for many poor rural communities
Bamboo has a diverse range of uses. It is used in scaffolding and shelter, food, utensils, arts and crafts, furniture and so on. Bamboo is the livelihood for many rural and poorer communities. Bamboo plantations do not drain the resources of these communities or expose the workers and the environment to harmful chemicals.
Bamboo has so many amazing qualities and greater interest in bamboo will lead to more bamboo forests and plantations which is a bonus for the environment and the health of our planet.
References
Ong, C, 2006 Can Bamboo Replace Thirsty Trees? www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/news/
C4 carbon fixation www.wikipedia.com
Urban Bamboo Farms – winners of Chicago sustainable awards www.bamboo-insights.com/articles/bamboo-farms-could-help-soak-up-urban-pollution.html
Ong, C, A , 2004 Giant Solution to a Giant Problem www.worldagroforestry.org/ar2004/tc_story01.asp
International Network for Bamboo and Rattan www.inbar.int/
Rayne-Oakes, S & SRO, 2007, S4 Sustainability Trends in Fashion
Bamboo, FAO, www.fao.org/docrep/009/a0467e/a0467e04.htm
Why Bamboo? www.bamboocentral.org
Bamboo Farms for Carbon and Methane Sequestration, Biodiversity, Project for the Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emission www.eco-web.com/index/category/4.2.html