Carbon Capture and Storage

[Ellen Brown]

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

Carbon capture is a process which helps to capture and store carbon dioxide before it reaches our atmosphere and causes negative consequences. The importance of using this process is to ensure we can keep the Earths temperature below 1.5 degrees. A goal which has been set in the Paris Agreement. If we do not keep below this, we could be at risk of irreversible changes to our planet.

As you will see by the graph below, here is a outline of what emissions should look like over the next few decades by utilising techniques and technologies including the process of carbon capture in order to keep below 1.5 degrees.

Source: wri.org

In order to understand the process better, here is a great diagram below which showcases a simplified version of the process of carbon capture and storage:

Source: researchgate.net

Carbon capture can be a lengthy and technical subject to understand however, the emergence of green technologies and practices is continuing to rise as us humans learn more and more each day. 

Capturing Carbon

Here are ways in which carbon can be captured:

Forests//

One of easiest ways of capturing carbon is by utilising what the earth already grows. Through a process called photosynthesis, trees are able to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Which is why when large acres of trees are cut down, we are destroying a vital support system. Individually we can encourage and support the growing of more trees across our planet in a number of ways through donations through charities such as National Trust.

Source:www.metsawood.com

 

Farms//

Did you know that soil naturally stores carbon? Through a process called carbon sequestration, carbon is hidden away in soil by plants through photosynthesis and can be stored as soil organic carbon (SOC). Soil itself is made of broken down plants and other matter so there is already carbon found.

There is also the advantage of planting trees surrounding farm land in order to reap the benefits of trees absorbing carbon dioxide as talked about previously. However, one of the biggest cons to soil and farming is disturbing the farmland and potentially release the carbon that was stored. We cannot rely fully on solutions such as soil sequestration as we need to ensure much more is done to make drastic cuts to carbon. And unfortunately as the earths temperature continues to rise, it is causing soil to be effected which results in carbon not being stored efficiently and securely.

Oceans//

Did you know? 'Colder and nutrient rich parts of the ocean are able to absorb more carbon dioxide than warmer parts. Therefore, the polar regions typically serve as carbon sinks. By 2100, most of the global ocean is expected to be made up of carbon dioxide, potentially altering the ocean chemistry and lowering the pH of the water, making it more acidic'. (Biological Carbon Sequestration - Science and Climate, 2021). 

Storing Underground:

Source: greenfacts.org

 

To learn more, follow the links below:

https://www.greenfacts.org/en/co2-capture-storage/foldout-co2-carbon-storage.pdf

https://climatechange.ucdavis.edu/science/carbon-sequestration/biological/

https://climate.mit.edu/explainers/soil-based-carbon-sequestration

 

 

[Tony Griffiths]

great overview.!