It is widely accepted that conventional mitigation efforts, e.g., fuel switching, energy efficiency, and carbon capture and storage, are not enough to protect us from the irreversible effects of climate change. The inescapable reality of a continued atmospheric rise in heat trapping gases necessitates that other solutions must enter the fray, solutions that drawdown atmospheric CO2 into other reservoirs. This talk will provide an overview of several “negative emission technologies”: solutions that are designed to drawdown and reliably store more CO2 than they emit. Some solutions are quite simple in theory –for instance planting a tree (or a few!) – but complex in long-term management. Other engineered systems are cleverly integrated with existing low carbon heat and electricity to maximize removal potential. A discussion of the benefits and challenges of carbon removal will follow.
- Log in to post comments