However, though researchers say that CDR can not substitute timely emissions reductions, it may play a role as a supporting actor in the climate drama.
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Greenhouse gases which are emitted during human activities aren’t only the cause of the rapid warming of seas but are also adding to ocean acidification at an unprecedented rate.
Even in a scenario in which large-scale carbon removal begins in 2050 – assuming such technology is available – the ocean does not fare well. One option: huge amounts of biomass – for instance fast growing trees such as poplar – consuming Carbon dioxide during growth could be burnt in bioenergy plants where the Carbon dioxide gets captured and stored underground (CCS).
Using computer modeling to investigate the success of CDR strategies, the team discovered that the clock is ticking for CDR to substantially reduce risks to much marine life. If the processes are applied very late, they may as well not be applied when it comes to ocean acidification.
A paper published Monday has showed that it is possible to control global warming by using a technology that involves draining of heat-trapping Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. “But, we believe that since America is the second biggest carbon emitter after China, the 32 percent carbon emission target by 2030 does not sound impressive and the target must have been higher to provide pretty strong push for other rich polluters such as Russian Federation, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, Korea and Canada to announce their more ambitious carbon emission reduction plans, respectively”.
The scientists used climate computer simulations to study the effects of extracting up to 25 gigatonnes of carbon per year. One of these rates, 22 billion tons per year, would remove carbon dioxide at slightly more than half current emission rates.
Dr Nick Riley, from the British Geological Survey, said: “Fossil fuels are the problem and it is fossil fuel emissions that need to be urgently targeted”. The experiment does not account for the availability of technologies for extraction and storage. It’s estimated that by 2500, ocean surface temperatures will have increased by 5C and the chemistry of ocean waters will become more acidic, making it hard for fish and shellfish to flourish. Oxygen is, of course, vital for many creatures.
In addition, warming of the oceans from CO2-caused climate change decreases concentrations of oxygen and reduces oceans’ circulation, interfering with nutrient transport. Thus the Carbon dioxide uptake by the oceans is a danger for marine life. However, the combined effect of all three factors has not yet been fully understood. “It would take many centuries to get back into balance with the atmosphere”, Dr Mathesius said.
The second study, led by Thomas Gasser of the Institut Pierre-Simon Laplace, near Paris, showed that keeping earth on a 2 C trajectory is highly unlikely to happen even if nations strike a deal in Paris to adhere to the most aggressive CO2-slashing pathway outlined by UN scientists.
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Ken Caldeira’s participation in this project was supported by the Fund for Innovative Climate and Energy Research and the Carnegie Institution for Science endowment.
