Carbon Sequestration, Climate Change, and CO₂

There is concern that greenhouse gas emissions from human activity (anthropogenic greenhouse gases) are having an effect on the global climate. CO₂ is the principal anthropogenic greenhouse gas and has increased in the atmosphere since industrialization began.

To stabilize the levels of CO₂ and other greenhouse gases in the environment, there needs to be a reduction in the amount of CO₂ and other greenhouse gases that are released by human activity. Reducing anthropogenic CO₂ emissions with the goal of stabilizing the level of CO₂ in the atmosphere is called CO₂ management.

CO₂ management is a complex issue because most of the anthropogenic CO₂ comes from the use of fossil fuels for energy, and maintaining our energy flow is critical to our economy and our quality of life. CO₂ emissions can be reduced by energy conservation, the use of more efficient fossil fuel energy systems, increased use of renewable and nuclear energy, and carbon sequestration. Carbon sequestration, the capture and long-term storage of CO₂ from the atmosphere or from anthropogenic CO₂ sources, is emerging as a major strategy for addressing climate change concerns.

Watch DOE Video “An Introduction to Carbon Capture and Sequestration”

It will be a major challenge to reduce anthropogenic CO₂ output while maintaining a strong economy. Experts agree that all options, from energy conservation to CO₂ sequestration, will be needed over the long term to reduce anthropogenic CO₂ emissions and the risk of climate change.¹ CO₂ sequestration will be an important part of this effort.¹

• Greenhouse Effect
• Climate Change
• CO₂ from Human Action (anthropogenic CO₂)
• What Is CO₂ Sequestration?

References

1. Pacala, S., and Socolow, R., 2004, Stabilization wedges-solving the climate problem for the next 50 years with current technologies: Science, v. 305, p. 968-972.