Carbon footprint

Carbon is an essential chemical element (C) without which life on Earth would not be possible. Carbon with its ability to form complex bonding with other atoms, allows for flexibility to the form and function of biomolecules such as DNA.

It permits the defining characteristics of life: growth and replication. Carbon when bonding with hydrogen atoms will create hydrocarbons: coil, oil and natural gas. These are the fossil fuels.

– Carbon is present in the atmosphere
– Plants and algae absorb carbon through photosynthesis
– Carbon enters the soil through the roots and decaying matter on the surface
– Carbon is stored long term in fossil fuels and short term closer to the surface, available for living organisms to use
– Through respiration from living organisms carbon travels back to the atmosphere
– Carbon travels back to the atmosphere when fossil fuels are set ablaze
– Carbon travels back from the atmosphere to the oceans and earth

Carbon plays a significant role in the changing climate occurring. Carbon dioxide is one of the most important heat accumulating greenhouse gasses which heats up the atmosphere and heightens the level of water vapor in the air. Modern technology and industrialization primarily function on the burning of fossil fuels like oil and natural gas.

The combustion process gives off excessive carbon dioxide in the air. Through the understanding of the carbon cycle, we can help solving this phenomenon by converting carbon into a form where it can be utilized by plants and living organisms. Carbon sequestration in the soil helps agro-ecosystems in absorbing more carbon, trapping carbon to be utilized by plants. Through adaptive management plan, agriculture may lower its carbon emission: forests are perfect for such actions.

Carbon is used by the trees to form sugar (form of carbon) then stored within the plant for decades and centuries. Carbon is freed back to the soils with the decaying matter thus providing a virtuous cycle for plants to prosper.

Surrounded by eight hectares of forests and fallows, Domaine du Grand Mayne’s vineyard allows for significant carbon sequestration. The soil attribution of the vineyard has been tailored to balance our activity with carbon re-uptake solutions.

A selective plot management plan allows for reduced tillage to the soil thus reducing the release of carbon in the aerosphere (soil organic carbon when exposed to air, through aeration, is then released as carbon dioxide in the aerosphere). The ranks of grapevine host flourishing biomes for indigenous species to prosper. They further contribute to the carbon re-uptake in their life cycle. The abundance of biodiversity plays a key role in the usage of carbon. Our activity is naturally counter-balanced by the omnipresence of such rich and complex ecosystems. Our usage of fossil fuels is managed through careful planning of our intervention.

The Team at Domaine du Grand Mayne expertly adapt to the essential needs of the vine. With the help from an exceptional terroir and a healthy diverse ecosystem, our motorized actions are subsequently diminished. With the noble Terra Bona Foundation offering the means to go beyond, Domaine du Grand Mayne seeks to go even further.

Many virtuous projects are soon to bloom: ethically and sustainably inscribing our model as a carbon negative agroecological domain.