Bamboo’s Role In Environmental Restoration

Our biosphere is suffering from resource depletion, habitat loss, species extinction and ecosystem pollution, suggesting sustainability might not be enough. Bamboo can play a key role in providing a material that can have a restorative effect on the environment.

Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on earth. It produces greater biomass and 30% more oxygen than a hardwood forest on the same area; it helps reduce carbon dioxide gases that create global warming. Some bamboo sequesters up to 12 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare, which makes it an efficient replenisher of fresh air. It improves watersheds, preventing erosion, restoring soil, providing sweet edible shoots and removing toxins from contaminated soil. Bamboo produces structural beams, flooring, wall paneling, fencing, clothing and many more sustainable by-products.

Spiritually bamboo represents a strong but resilient character. Perseverance, longevity and vitality despite adversity. Bamboo is quick-growing, evergreen, high, straight, very strong and flexible, bends in difficulty but does not break. In ancient China, people of fair, straightforward, sincere, high spiritual qualities were compared to bamboo. When given as a gift, it has been said to bring luck and even increase the power of prayer. Chinese Emperors surrounded their palaces with bamboo to keep evil spirits out and cultivate prosperity and wisdom within. A bamboo grove is believed to restore calmness and stimulate creativity. Bamboo groves were a favorite dwelling place of the Buddha.

Naturally, Bamboo Arts Center is surrounded with bamboo groves.

Namaste,

Saundra Emerson

RYT

Founder, Bamboo Arts Center

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