Carbon Sequestration

Carbon sequestration is the biological, physical, and chemical capture and long-term storage of carbon, usually from carbon dioxide (CO2), so as to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent those that are produced from contributing to climate change.

CO2 concentration in the atmosphere is increasing primarily due to the combustion of fossil fuels—in particular, coal—and also oil and natural gas. CO2 contributes to global warming, and in 1997, most industrialized countries signed the Kyoto Protocol, agreeing to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases (primarily CO2). However, most of those nations are not meeting their agreed reductions. Carbon sequestration has the potential to slow down the rate of increase of CO2 levels or even reduce levels of CO2 in the atmosphere.

As part of their Kyoto Protocol commitments, the ...