You may ask, why bamboo? Bamboo is a fascinating material. There are over 1000 species of bamboo. Bamboo is actually considered a grass even though some species grow to heights over 180 feet. With its incredible strength, regenerative properties, versatility and its natural aesthetic beauty . . . could it save the world?

Bamboo is one of the strongest building materials. In structural engineering tests, bamboo has a higher tensile strength than many alloys of steel, and a higher compressive strength than many mixtures of concrete. It even has a higher strength to weight ratio than graphite. With its flexibility bamboo has become an essential structural material in earthquake architecture. Due to the strength and flexibility of the product, bamboo structures have withstood 9.0 magnitude earthquakes. In Limon, Costa Rica, only the bamboo houses stood after the 1992 earthquake.

WATCH IT GROW!

Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on earth. Some species have actually been measured to grow over 4 feet in 24 hours. With over 1000 species, the diversity of bamboo makes it adaptable to many environments. A pole of bamboo can regenerate to its full mass in just six months. It can be continuously re-harvested every 3 years, without causing damage to the plant system and surrounding environment. During the time it takes to regenerate, the bamboo plant’s roots stay intact so erosion is prevented. Continuous harvesting of this woody plant every 3-7 years actually improves the overall health of the plant. Bamboo provided the first re-greening of Hiroshima after the atomic blast in 1945.

Bamboo forests produce greater biomass and 30% more oxygen than a hardwood forest. This makes bamboo a critical element in the balance of oxygen / carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It also lowers light intensity and protects against ultraviolet rays and is an atmospheric and soil purifier.

As a mystical plant, for centuries bamboo has been a symbol of strength, flexibility, tenacity, endurance and compromise. Throughout Asia, it has been integral to religions ceremonies, art, music and daily life. In Japan, a bamboo forest is used to surround a shrine as part of a sacred barrier against evil. Many Buddhist temples also have bamboo groves. For centuries, bamboo has been found in construction, home furnishings, home decor, food, medicine, paper, fuel, weapons, musical instruments, culture and art. Today the use of bamboo has been expanded even more. From skate and snow boards to fine bed sheets and towels, we are finding new products from bamboo to be limitless. Look for the large variety of bamboo furnishings and bamboo decor at www.islandhomefurniture.com.

Why Bamboo? Bamboo has a roll to play. It is believed that if bamboo were planted on a mass basis it could completely reverse the effects of global warming in just 6 years, and provide a renewable source of food, building material, and erosion prevention. As we watch the deterioration of our planet, we see resource depletion, forests disappear, deserts develop, diseases rage, and species going into extinction. There is no one solution but amazingly, the simple bamboo plant can make a dramatic positive impact in many areas.