by Hemalatha (Hema) Velappan

Historically, climate communications mostly relied on strategies postulated by the knowledge-deficit model, which assumes that sharing the scientific and technical aspects of the problem will prompt people to be concerned about the issue and modify their behavior. While this approach enhanced knowledge about the issue, it proved ineffective in motivating people to take action. Whereas messages that were focused on audiences’ immediate concerns and socio-political contexts had a much greater impact on nudging their behavior towards more climate-friendly solutions [1]. I built this capstone project and the accompanying communication piece by combining the knowledge-based and “immediate concern-based” communication approaches to test whether such a combined approach will improve action.

Farming is one of the few sectors that needs to simultaneously reduce its climate impact and adapt to climate change [2]. Yet, climate change is perceived by farmers as a slow, distant, or abstract issue. Not in a selfish way, but farmers are typically more concerned about immediate returns on investment over long-term planetary health since their livelihood depends on the farm’s short-term profit [3]. Therefore, farmers are a great audience to understand this messaging approach.

In recent years, biochar, a stable form of charcoal produced through the pyrolysis of biomass in an oxygen-free environment, has gained popularity as an efficient climate solution. It can be made from low-value residues such as agricultural and forest residues, offering multiple climate mitigation pathways. Most significantly, biochar provides long-term carbon sequestration, storing carbon for centuries in soil, persisting one to two orders higher than the biomass [4].

Biochar can be applied to farmlands where it provides additional environmental benefits, such as reducing nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions [5]. In addition to their climate benefits, there is documented evidence that shows biochar increases crop yields and water and nutrient retention [6]. Although the climate benefits of biochar are well-discussed, especially due to the heightened interest in biochar-related carbon credits, their economic benefits are not typically communicated effectively, leading to the misconception that biochar is just a climate solution.

My experience working with biochar can be summarized through two key projects. First, through my work at UW CINTRAFOR, I developed a life cycle assessment (LCA) of forestry-residue-based biochar production [7]. In a separate project with the WSU team, I conducted an LCA of an integrated hemp production system that incorporated biochar [8]. These experiences inspired me to focus on biochar as the climate solution for this capstone project.

For this capstone, I explored how biochar can be presented not just as a climate solution (knowledge-based) but as an economic opportunity (immediate-concern-based) for farmers in Washington State that could alleviate some of their immediate concerns about farm profitability. I developed a workshop-style presentation with pre- and post-workshop questionnaires for the audiences of the Focus on Farming and Forestry conference at the Evergreen State Fair Park, Monroe, Washington, on November 5, 2025.

The presentation covered a broad introduction to biochar, its environmental and economic benefits, and the challenges to adoption along with strategies to address them. Through the analysis of the surveys, I tried answering the following questions: How does a farmer’s pre-existing belief about human-caused climate change influence their receptivity to biochar as presented through an economic framework? What factors most strongly predict a farmer’s stated intention to adopt biochar practices after learning about its benefits? Do farmers’ understanding, barriers, and interest in adopting biochar increase after the workshop?

The analysis of the pre- and post-workshop surveys revealed that economically framed climate communication enhanced interest, understanding, and intent to adopt biochar. Participants already displayed relatively high baseline awareness of biochar’s economic functions but showed lower familiarity with its potential for long-term carbon storage. But the post-workshop survey revealed increased understanding of biochar’s environmental benefits. Further, post‑workshop responses indicated that all farmers’ interest in trying biochar either maintained or increased, including participants who did not view human activity as a driver of global warming. This finding supports the notion that the economic framing of climate solutions tailored to the immediate concerns of the audience can bridge ideological divides.

Although the workshop largely improved the knowledge and interest among the participants, their perceived barriers to initial cost, availability, and return on investment remained unchanged as “highly concerning.” This suggests that while informational interventions such as this workshop can improve understanding and awareness, structural barriers require more tangible support, such as cost‑share programs and access to suppliers, to shift meaningfully. Overall, the results of this capstone project indicated that knowledge-building workshops are a necessary first step, but reducing material and logistical barriers is essential for broader adoption.

Hemalatha (Hema) Velappan is a 5th-year PhD candidate at the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences. Her interest in forestry and climate communication led her to develop this capstone project. Through this work, she conducted a workshop, with farmers as the primary audience, to provide an overview of biochar produced from forest residues, discuss the economic and environmental benefits of using biochar in farming, and address the challenges and ways to overcome those challenges for effective adoption.