Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a naturally occurring gas that is present in the Earth's atmosphere. It plays an important role in the Earth's climate system, as it helps to trap heat from the sun and keep the planet warm. However, in recent decades, the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere have been increasing rapidly, largely due to human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and the production of cement.
This increase in CO2 is causing a phenomenon known as global warming, which is causing the Earth's average temperature to rise. This is leading to a range of negative impacts on the environment, including rising sea levels, more frequent and severe heatwaves, droughts, and storms, as well as the loss of biodiversity.
One way to address this problem is through the use of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies, also known as negative emissions technologies (NETs). These technologies aim to remove CO2 from the atmosphere and store it in a way that prevents it from re-entering the atmosphere.
There are several different CDR technologies being developed, including afforestation and reforestation, soil carbon sequestration, ocean fertilization, and direct air capture (DAC). Afforestation and reforestation involve planting trees and other vegetation, which absorb CO2 as they grow and store it in their wood, leaves, and roots. Soil carbon sequestration involves using agricultural practices that enhance the ability of soil to store carbon, such as reduced tillage, cover cropping, and the use of biochar. Ocean fertilization involves adding nutrients to the ocean, which can stimulate the growth of phytoplankton, which absorb CO2 as they grow. DAC involves using machines to directly capture CO2 from the air and store it in a secure location.
While these CDR technologies have the potential to help reduce the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere, they are not a replacement for reducing emissions from human activities. To address the problem of global warming effectively, we need to both reduce our emissions and use CDR technologies to remove excess CO2 from the atmosphere.