The most obvious benefit that both natural and technological systems share is their ability to remove carbon from our atmosphere, or prevent it from reaching the atmosphere to begin with. These systems, when employed properly, have the potential to help keep global temperatures from surpassing the two degree Celsius mark. To achieve this goal, carbon dioxide must actively be removed from the atmosphere – a process known as generating “negative emissions.” In an article published by Nature Communications, Thomas Gasser and his co-authors found that the only feasible way to keep warming under two degrees Celsius is to generate negative emissions, as well as substantially decrease our greenhouse gas emissions. While carbon removal should not be viewed as a panacea, it should be incorporated into global strategies to reduce climate change.
The benefits of implementing some of these carbon capture techniques are not limited to a reduction in greenhouse gasses. Enhancing the natural carbon removal process has many societal benefits as well. These include increasing climate resiliency (UNFCC, p. 74) and advancing other environmental goals, such as enhancing land conservation practices and bolstering wildlife conservation.
Implementing technological strategies also has benefits. One major benefit is the potential to quickly remove CO2 on a large scale (compared to natural systems, which are slower to absorb carbon). Another is the utilization aspect in CCUS – that extra carbon could serve many useful purposes, generating economic growth and jobs. If CCUS were to become profitable, it could spread quickly and help combat climate change. Lastly, even if technological strategies are unable to remove 100 percent of carbon, they can still help smooth the transition to a clean energy economy by reducing the amount of carbon emitted from coal-fired or natural gas power plants.
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