Ashima Choudhary, Dr. Parshant Bakshi
“The places that are most likely to grow trees for carbon sequestration are places were trees aren’t growing now”.
Long-term carbon storage occurs when carbon is sequestered in vegetation, soil, rock formations, and the ocean. Storage of carbon is sometimes referred to as “carbon sequestration,” which can happen both naturally and as a result of human activity. Carbon sequestration mainly refers to the process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere or other sources and storing it in reservoir preventing it from being released back into the air. It is an important strategy in mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
India is showing keen concern in the carbon sequestration due to anthropogenically forced climate change owing to emissions of CO2 are now well accepted and have resulted in several initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions and for storing carbon. As third largest producer of coal and fourth largest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitter, India’s total emissions are 7 percent of global emissions and is increasing at 4.5 percent per annum. India’s current and expected future emissions are sufficiently massive to have an adverse effect on global mitigation efforts. The Department of Science and Technology oversees a scheme called the National scheme on CO2 Storage Research. The Accelerating Carbon Capture Storage Technologies project includes India as its member. Through focused innovation and research, the 16-nation ACT programme seeks to advance and mature Carbon, Capture, Utilization and Storage technology. An ‘Industry Charter’ for nearly zero emissions by 2050, including carbon sequestration, has been signed by six Indian corporations. The IPCC studied that without CCS, the price of achieving long-run climate goals is almost 140 percent more expensive. However, India has been taking a cautious approach towards CCS technology due to various factors.
Carbon sequestration is done by various processes that is through biological, chemical and physical processes, carbon dioxide is naturally removed from the atmosphere.
By altering agricultural practices and land use, such as turning over grazing pasture for livestock and crops to land for non-crop, quick-growing plants, these changes can be hastened.
Similar effects can also be achieved artificially through the large-scale storage of industrially produced carbon dioxide in deep saltwater aquifers, reservoirs, ocean water, depleted oil fields, or other carbon sinks.
Carbon sinks are the one which are responsible in pumping carbon into ‘carbon sinks,’ or locations that absorb carbon, can achieve carbon sequestration.
* Natural sinks, such as forests, oceans, and soil.
* Depleted oil supplies, un-mineable mines, etc. are examples of man-made sinks.
Three main phases that make up carbon capture and storage (CCS):
* Absorbing carbon dioxide and isolating it from other gases.
* Moving the captured carbon dioxide to a storage facility.
* Keeping carbondioxide out of the atmosphere by storing it below ground or deep in the ocean.
Advantages and disadvantages:
* Reduction in the number of dangerous particles in the air can be achieved by planting trees and controlling their development.
* Carbon emissions are decreased, which lessens the greenhouse gas effect and tempers the effects of climate change.
* Sequestered carbon is carbon that stays out of the atmosphere.
* Deep underground spaces may be used to store carbon dioxide. At depth, hydrostatic pressure keeps it liquid.
* Using the technique would cost between 1 and 5 cents per kilowatt-hour, according to calculation from climate change panels.
* The gas contained in the reservoir may be released into the ocean or atmosphere due to flaws in the reservoir’s architecture, rock cracks, or tectonic movements.
* The financial expenses of existing coal technology would roughly double if regulations required the adoption of CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) technology.
Carbon sequestration methods:
Natural Carbon Sequestration: Carbon dioxide is naturally absorbed from the atmosphere by natural process which includes photosynthesis in plants and trees, where it is then stored in biomass (leaves, stems, and roots) and soils.
Afforestation and Reforestation: Planting new forests (afforestation) or restoring depleted forests (reforestation) helps absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and store it in trees and soil.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS):
This method involves capturing CO2 emissions from power plants, industrial facilities, or other sources, transporting it, and storing it underground in geological formations such as depleted oil and gas fields, saline aquifers, or deep ocean storage.
Enhanced Weathering:
Certain rocks, such as basalt, react with CO2 in the atmosphere to form stable carbonates. Crushed rocks can be spread over large areas, increasing the surface area available for the reaction and facilitating the long-term storage of CO2 in the form of minerals.
Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS):
This approach combines bioenergy production (using biomass, such as crops or forestry residues) with CCS. The CO2 emitted during bioenergy combustion is captured and stored, effectively removing CO2 from the atmosphere.
Ocean Sequestration: The oceans naturally absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, but increased CO2 levels can lead to ocean acidification. Certain techniques, such as ocean fertilization, aim to enhance the absorption and storage of CO2 in the oceans.
Thus, it can be concluded that the carbon sequestration is a possible alternative for world leaders to reach net zero emissions by 2050 in order to save the earth from temperature increases of more than 2°C. For practical technology development and affordable access for all, based on equity and climate justice principles, major global collaboration and coordination are needed. It’s important to note that while carbon sequestration can help reduce CO2 levels in the atmosphere, it is not a silver bullet for addressing climate change. The primary focus should be on reducing greenhouse gas emissions at their source by transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and adopting sustainable practices across various sectors.
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