On today's episode we will be discussing a scientific paper just out entitled How biochar works and when it doesn't: A review of mechanisms controlling soil and plant responses to biochar We discuss:  The key or most consistent properties and benefits of biochar  The key components and stages of the mechanisms of biochar effects on soil and plants  Biochars role in supporting food security  The effects on climate change mitigation Biochar’s role in the circular economy Our guest today is Annette Cowie from NSW DPI & Univ New England. Annette has a background in soil science and plant nutrition, with particular interest in sustainable resource management. She contributes to development of climate change policy and GHG mitigation in the agriculture sector, including GHG accounting for emissions trading at state, national and international levels. Annette was a lead author in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Climate Change and Land, and is a lead author in the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report.