The Biden Administration, Elon Musk, and tech companies are pouring billions into researching carbon-capturing technology. The technology plans on removing carbon from the air and keeping it deep underground where it cannot harm the environment.
Carbon-capturing comes in many forms. Some reduce carbon emissions directly from factory smokestacks while others plan on using algae or mining waste. The scramble to develop carbon-reducing technology comes at a tipping point for global warming. The United Nations warns that islands could be flooded and droughts and famine could be serious threats during this point in time.
The carbon-capturing also has its critics. They argue that researching carbon-capturing is useless and diverts money away from proven solutions like renewable energy. “The idea that this is going to be the fix to the global problem of massive emissions and accelerating climate change is just not borne out by reality,” says Nikki Reich, director of climate programs at the Center of International Environmental Law.
Critics also say that carbon-capture technology is years from implementation, but it isn’t stopping people from funding the effort. The Elon Musk Foundation and XPRIZE funded 1 million dollars to 15 groups, and in four years they will donate 50 million to a prize winner and 30 million to three runner ups. However, this may not be enough funding money.
Installing carbon-capturing equipment on plants costs a lot of money, up to 1 billion dollars. The carbon-capturing will also take an immense amount of energy to pull carbon out of the air. “People want to believe there’s a quick fix — but there really isn’t,” says Reich.
Links: https://s3.amazonaws.com/appforest_uf/f1656283131101x478649759372310300/There%E2%80%99s%20a%20carbon-capture%20gold%20rush.%20Some%20warn%20better%20solutions%20exist.%20-%20The%20Washington%20Post.pdf
Carbon-capturing comes in many forms. Some reduce carbon emissions directly from factory smokestacks while others plan on using algae or mining waste. The scramble to develop carbon-reducing technology comes at a tipping point for global warming. The United Nations warns that islands could be flooded and droughts and famine could be serious threats during this point in time.
The carbon-capturing also has its critics. They argue that researching carbon-capturing is useless and diverts money away from proven solutions like renewable energy. “The idea that this is going to be the fix to the global problem of massive emissions and accelerating climate change is just not borne out by reality,” says Nikki Reich, director of climate programs at the Center of International Environmental Law.
Critics also say that carbon-capture technology is years from implementation, but it isn’t stopping people from funding the effort. The Elon Musk Foundation and XPRIZE funded 1 million dollars to 15 groups, and in four years they will donate 50 million to a prize winner and 30 million to three runner ups. However, this may not be enough funding money.
Installing carbon-capturing equipment on plants costs a lot of money, up to 1 billion dollars. The carbon-capturing will also take an immense amount of energy to pull carbon out of the air. “People want to believe there’s a quick fix — but there really isn’t,” says Reich.
Links: https://s3.amazonaws.com/appforest_uf/f1656283131101x478649759372310300/There%E2%80%99s%20a%20carbon-capture%20gold%20rush.%20Some%20warn%20better%20solutions%20exist.%20-%20The%20Washington%20Post.pdf
