Nations’ Climate Commitments Are Insufficient
Nations’ current climate commitments are not enough to meet the trajectories needed to maintain global warming below the limit of 1.5 ºC that we have marked. The solution to the climate crisis is no longer just about stopping greenhouse gas emissions; it requires direct action to collect CO₂ from the atmosphere and store it effectively.
A Call to Action
A warning. As highlighted by the third edition of the report State of Carbon Dioxide Removal, humanity needs to accelerate technology to eliminate CO₂ at a pace comparable to, or even surpassing, the growth of solar energy and electric vehicles.
The First Comprehensive Assessment
The biggest audit. The report is crucial as it serves as the first global, independent, and accessible scientific assessment of carbon dioxide removal efforts. Compiled by over 50 scientists from prestigious institutions like the University of Oxford and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, it provides vital insights.
Where Do We Stand?
Despite ongoing efforts to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, current levels indicate we are far from achieving a breathable future. Global CO₂ removal is around 2.2 gigatonnes per year. While this may appear significant, 99.9% of this removal relies on conventional methods such as reforestation and land management.
The Urgent Goal
The objective. To meet the 1.5 °C target, we need to multiply our CO₂ removal capacity. This necessitates eliminating 5 gigatonnes of CO₂ by 2050, a goal that current governmental strategies fail to approach.
Technological Innovations Are Crucial
Technology. Achieving this ambitious expansion requires a true technological revolution. Current methods under consideration range from bioenergy with carbon capture and storage to direct air capture and advanced afforestation techniques. Innovative research in Spain explores cutting-edge methods, such as the photoactivation of CO₂ using titanium dioxide and copper clusters.
Expert Voices Speak Out
The experts. According to Raffaele Bernadello, a researcher in the Climate Change group at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, “the need to actively capture CO₂ is becoming increasingly evident as a complementary measure to the rapid and marked reduction in emissions.” Additionally, Ana Hernández, a biodiversity and natural resources planner at the Climate Research Foundation, warns that “temporarily exceeding the 1.5 °C threshold is practically inevitable, given that the remaining carbon budget will be exhausted around 2030.”
Conclusion
Images | Chris LeBoutillier