Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, constituting 81% of greenhouse gases, severely impact climate change, largely due to human activities like fossil fuel combustion. Natural mitigation is not sufficient to handle escalating emissions, prompting scientists and policymakers to develop carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) methods. These strategies aim to limit global temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius by 2050, as targeted by the Paris Climate Agreement. Current removal techniques include reforestation, ocean alkalinity enhancement, and direct air capture, where CO2 is extracted from the atmosphere for storage or conversion into useful products.
In 2020, 40 million tons of CO2 were captured, a number that needs to increase significantly to meet sustainable development goals. Emerging methods such as accelerated limestone weathering and geological sequestration offer promising solutions. For instance, accelerated techniques can hasten natural carbon sequestration processes, while geological sequestration involves capturing CO2 and storing it underground. Additionally, solar fuels utilize sunlight for clean energy by converting water and CO2 into fuels. Overall, addressing CO2 emissions through innovative carbon capture methods is crucial for mitigating climate change and ensuring environmental sustainability.
