Photo by Timothy K
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) has become an essential method for achieving a low carbon world. With increasing global temperature and climate change, there is a need to reduce the carbon emissions from coal-fired power stations, gas and oil power plants, transport and in the tourism value chain. This is why it is important to understand the role and benefits of CCS and how your business can support projects that integrate nature-based solutions that capture carbon.
Carbon dioxide removal with plants and trees is one of the most natural and effective methods of carbon capture. With this method, plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere as they grow and convert it into oxygen through photosynthesis. Plants also store a portion of their carbon in their woody material, providing long-term storage potential. Carbon dioxide removal via plant growth can help reduce the impact of global warming, providing additional benefits such as improved air quality, increased biodiversity, and more sustainable food production.
Here are three examples of nature-based solutions for carbon capture.
Photo by Irina Shishkina
Seagrass
Seagrass beds can be used as a tool to help reduce atmospheric CO2 levels by taking in the gas and storing it within its root systems. Seagrass also plays an important role in providing habitat for numerous marine species, helping to maintain healthy ecosystems and biodiversity.
Seagrasses have the ability to sequester carbon for long periods, locking it away and providing a long-term solution to climate change. Therefore, seagrass beds can play an important role in helping reduce atmospheric CO2 levels as well as supporting healthy marine ecosystems.
Photo by Maxwell Ridgeway
Mangroves
Mangroves are a type of coastal wetland that help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by capturing and storing it in their roots, stems, leaves, and soil. As mangroves grow, they absorb and store carbon from the atmosphere, helping to reduce global warming.
Mangroves also provide other benefits such as protecting coasts from erosion, providing habitat for fish and wildlife, and improving water quality in nearby areas.
Mangrove ecosystems provide valuable economic benefits by supporting fisheries and tourism. By preserving these ecosystems and increasing their area of coverage, we can increase the amount of carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere and help mitigate climate change.
Photo by Frances Gunn
Farms
Planting cover crops when fields are otherwise bare can extend photosynthesis throughout the year, sequestering about half a metric ton of CO2 per acre per year.
Using compost can improve yields while storing the compost’s carbon content in the soil. Scientists are also developing crops with deeper roots, making them more resistant to drought while depositing more carbon into the soil.
If we want to effectively manage soil for carbon on a large scale, however, it is not going to be an easy task. Natural systems are incredibly unpredictable and complex, making it difficult to predict the long-term benefits of any practice implemented in one acreage area. Measuring and monitoring those effects over time can prove even more challenging.
Despite some controversial opinions, the effectiveness of particular measures is still under close scientific scrutiny. What’s more, any progress made can be reversed if management and conditions are altered from one year to the next.
If a substantial amount of carbon needs to be removed from the atmosphere, vast farms would have to be utilized; thus governments and markets must create favorable incentives for landowners that allow them to store an increasing quantity of carbon safely.
Final Word
Carbon capture is an essential technology that could help reduce the amount of CO2 in our atmosphere. It has the potential to play a major role in mitigating climate change and ensuring a safe future for generations to come.
In order to make this happen, we must continue investing in research and development as well as encouraging private sector investment into carbon capture technologies. With enough dedication from both government entities and businesses worldwide, it’s possible for us to realize these goals without putting too much strain on our planet’s resources.
By taking advantage of what modern science can offer us with regards to carbon capture, we have a real chance at creating a better world where everyone benefits from clean air and accessible energy sources. The future of our planet depends on it.
Sea Going Green is a sustainable tourism consultancy supporting hotels, coastal resorts, tourism operators and destinations with the tools to measure, mitigate and offset their carbon footprint.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) has become an essential method for
achieving a low carbon world. With increasing global temperature and
climate change, there is a need to reduce the carbon emissions from
coal-fired power stations, gas and oil power plants, transport, and in the
tourism value chain.
Here are three examples of nature-based solutions for carbon capture.Read MoreEducationBlog – Sea Going Green
