Climate change is one of the pressing global issues that demand urgent attention and action. Human activities, such as industrialization, transportation, and agriculture, have resulted in the release of massive volumes of greenhouse gases (GHG) into the atmosphere, leading to the increased global temperature. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that to limit global warming to 1.5°C, GHG emissions must reduce by 45% by 2030 and reach 0 emissions by 2050. Several countries globally have made progressive strides towards reducing GHG emissions through implementing sustainable practices such as renewable energy, energy-efficient buildings, and public transportation. However, limiting emissions may not be sufficient to meet the desired goals of limiting global temperature rise below 1.5°C. Additional measures must be taken to address the GHG emissions already in the atmosphere. This is where greenhouse gas removal (GGR) technologies come into play. This article examines the importance of GGR technologies in managing global warming and climate change solutions and the various types of GGR techniques and if they can contribute to achieving negative GHG emissions.
The Importance of Greenhouse Gas Removal (GGR)
GGR technologies are critical in managing climate change and limiting the rise in global temperature to below 1.5°C. According to the IPCC, negative emissions - removing more GHG than emitted - are required to achieve the Paris Agreement's climate goals, and achieving negative emissions is only possible with GGR. GGR technologies come into play to counterbalance the GHG emissions that have already been released and reduce the risk of exceeding the recommended temperature thresholds.
Greenhouse gas removal can provide a way forward as we continue to reduce our energy use, develop renewable energy systems, and transition to low-carbon lifestyles. GGR technologies provide a sphere of influence where researchers and industry leaders can develop and innovate technological solutions to tackle climate change. An eminent example of GGR technologies is Direct Air Capture (DAC), which involves capturing CO2 directly from the air and storing it underground. DAC allows the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere, thereby contributing to reducing global warming.
Another important aspect of GGR technologies is their potential to address socio-economic challenges related to climate change. Some GGR techniques, such as afforestation and reforestation, can provide substantial co-benefits such as creating employment opportunities and improving watersheds. These co-benefits can address some of the social and economic challenges that communities face while also sequestering carbon in vegetation and soil.
Types of Greenhouse Gas Removal Techniques
There are various GGR techniques, ranging from natural techniques to technological as follows:
1. Afforestation and Reforestation
Afforestation and reforestation GGR techniques involve the planting of trees on land that did not have forest cover. These techniques aim to increase carbon sequestration and create carbon sinks that store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
2. Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS)
BECCS is a long-term, low-carbon energy strategy. This technique involves converting crops and biomass into energy and capturing the carbon dioxide released in the process. BECCS also creates jobs and boosts local economies.
3. Direct Air Capture (DAC)
DAC is one of the leading technological GGR techniques. DAC captures CO2 directly from the air using specialized filters and then stores the CO2 underground where it can be isolated from the atmosphere.
4. Enhanced Weathering
Enhanced weathering is a process that involves accelerating the natural, geological weathering of rocks. This accelerates the reaction between CO2 in the atmosphere and rock-derived minerals to form stable compounds, which then sequesters carbon and removes it from the atmosphere.
5. Soil Carbon Sequestration
This technique involves altering agricultural practices to sequester carbon in soil. Some practices include no-till farming, intercropping, and mulching, which improves soil health and fertility while also sequestering carbon.
Can GGR contribute to a negative emission future?
Achieving negative emissions is possible with GGR. The IPCC’s Special Report on Global Warming highlights how negative emissions technologies including BECCS and Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) could contribute to comprehensive emission reductions in the future. However, significant questions need to be addressed to ensure that GGR technologies contribute to a sustainable future. For instance, how to balance competing land demands? How to ensure that GGR processes have a net-negative impact, including minimizing energy use and environmental impact? The development of GGR technologies must prioritize social and environmental sustainability and ensure robust governance and regulatory frameworks to avert undesirable outcomes associated with large-scale deployment of these technologies.
Conclusion
The urgency of the looming climate change threat calls for reduction of global GHG emissions below zero; no new GHG gets added. It is in this context that Greenhouse Gas Removal becomes an important consideration. Although most attention has been on reducing GHG emissions, it is clear that unless dire action is taken to reduce carbon concentrations in the atmosphere, the world is in for a bumpy ride. GGR technologies, ranging from natural ecologically sound techniques to innovative technological solutions such as Direct Air Capture (DAC), offer considerable promise in achieving comprehensive and effective GHG reduction. These GGR technologies could form part of a more diversified strategy to reduce GHG concentrations in the future and support a sustainable future.
Comments
Post a Comment