The Power of Bamboo

Bamboo is a plant defined as a grass that is grown mostly in tropical climates, although there are hearty versions available that can be grown in many climates. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants known to man reaching maturity in 3 to 6 months.There are many different varieties of bamboo. The smallest bamboo only growing 1 to 3 feet and the largest reaching heights of over 120 feet. Bamboo is commonly used as construction materials and as a food source. The shoots are a common filler in many Asian dishes. Bamboo is also the main food source for the giant Panda.

As bamboo grows in popularity more uses are being discovered. Bamboo creates 30% more oxygen than trees and some varities can even grow 6 feet in one single day! It is self generating and when cut it doesn't need to be replanted the new shoots sprout from where it was cut. By switching from our common habits of cutting down forests and being a parasite on our planet we can reduce some of footprint we have created. Using bamboo will reduce the greenhouse effect and help combat soil erosion. Bamboo once thought of as "the poor man's timber", is now commonly sought for flooring and construction materials in the western world and people are willing to pay anything for it. Companies in the UK, Australia, Denmark, just to name a few are even starting to make bicycles from bamboo. How much would you pay for a bamboo bike? Roughly about $1600 american. We are certainly moving miles away from this so called poor man's timber.

Bamboo can be used for furniture, clothing, medicine, kitchen products, bio-fuel, construction materials, food, bicycles, toilet paper, and that is just the tip of the ice berg. We are currently discovering ways to replace aluminum alloy with bamboo. Bamboo clothing is so soft and luxurious, which is causing many designers to add bamboo products to their collection. Bamboo is breathable, has moisture wicking capabilities, and even anti-bacterial properties. In a study china conducted 99.8% of bacteria introduced to the fabric had disappeared in a 24 hour period. Bamboo socks can eliminate foot odor and prevent athletes foot. When testing bamboo's breathable capabilities bamboo fabric stayed 2-3 degrees cooler than other fabrics tested. Bamboo clothing has many micro-scopic holes in the fabric that helps with its breathability causing the wearer to feel cooler and fresher, the fabric won't stick to the skin, and combats yellowing stains in clothing while wicking the moisture when you sweat. By the same token when worn in colder weather wearing layers of bamboo allow your body to breath and trap your body heat into you.