DailyDirt: Getting Unwanted Carbon Dioxide Out Of The Atmosphere

People can debate whether or not governments need to do something to curb carbon dioxide emissions, but while the debate continues, technology could help give us more attractive options for dealing with unwanted carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Several methods of carbon sequestration have been proposed over the years, but none have really turned out to be financially viable so far. Sure, we could plant a trillion trees, but even that might have its own detrimental impact on the environment.

• Carbon dioxide from the air can be sequestered into carbon nanofibers with electricity (preferably from renewable sources or some kind of nuclear). This development could help spur carbon nano-materials AND reduce carbon dioxide levels in our atmosphere. Win-win! (But it'll take a LOT of energy to make a dent in the existing amount of CO2 in the air.) [url]
• Removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere might not be sufficient to reverse some of the damage already done to oceans and the ecosystem. Carbon dioxide levels have surpassed 400 ppm in the atmosphere, and some scientists have estimated that levels beyond 420 ppm would be detrimental to global ecosystems, as well as changing the climate around the world. [url]
• The Center for Carbon Removal wants to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to clean up our environment. Carbon dioxide levels were at about 280 ppm before the Industrial Revolution, and they could continue to rise if no one changes our current energy infrastructure. [url]
• Turning carbon dioxide into useful materials isn't a new idea, but doing so in an economical way that actually produces materials that people can use has been tricky. Chemists are looking into catalysts that might fit the bill, but it's a pretty hefty bill. [url]

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