Does Global Warming Mean We Need More CO2 Removal?

There is a persistent belief that we produce too much CO2 and that it's leading to global warming. Some even argue that the earth was better off with 10 times the amount of CO2. However, such claims are often misunderstood and OVERLY skeptical. CO2 is not inherently bad; it's vital for plant life and thus contributes to all life on Earth. This article will explore how CO2 is naturally removed from the atmosphere and what we can do to manage it.

CO2: Nature's Cleanser

When one takes a drive away from the bustling city, the view quickly shifts to a verdant landscape teeming with vegetation. Trees, bushes, and other greenery are the unsung heroes in the fight against global CO2 emissions. Plants absorb CO2 through photosynthesis, storing carbon and releasing oxygen. This natural carbon cycle has been at work for millennia.

CO2 Not the Villain

Global CO2 levels have been erroneously vilified as the primary cause of global warming for decades. Many people have gotten into a frenzy about reducing CO2 emissions, but what if it's not the warming agent that's been made out to be? This question prompts us to rethink the necessity of CO2 removal. If CO2 isn't warming the planet, then what is its current purpose of concern?

Natural Carbon Sequestration

Nature has its ways of managing carbon levels. Phytoplankton play a significant role in removing CO2 from the atmosphere. NASA reports that the biological carbon pump transfers 10 Gts of carbon from the atmosphere to the deep ocean each year. This is equivalent to 37 Gts of CO2. Currently, humans emit around 40 Gts of CO2 annually. The residence time of CO2 in the atmosphere, given this sequestration alone, is approximately 80 years. Simple dissolution in the ocean is another mechanism, where increased partial pressure in the atmosphere forces more CO2 into the ocean to restore equilibrium.

The Ocean's Role in CO2 Absorption

The ocean acts as a massive sink for CO2, absorbing about 25% of the CO2 emitted by human activities. For example, with Henry's law, at Earth's average surface temperature, there should be 50 times as much CO2 in the ocean compared to the atmosphere. This means that, assuming equilibrium, about 98% of the human-CO2 emissions would be absorbed by the oceans. However, reaching this equilibrium can take decades.

Man-Made Solutions

Besides natural sequestration, there are also technological solutions to further manage CO2 levels. For instance, a study suggests that combined air-capture technology could potentially remove 5 Gts of CO2 annually by 2050, increasing to up to 40 Gts by 2100. These man-made methods can complement natural processes and help manage atmospheric CO2 levels even more effectively.

Conclusion

In summary, while CO2 is crucial for plant life and overall ecosystem health, the false assumption that it's causing excessive global warming needs reevaluation. Natural processes like phytoplankton and ocean absorption already manage a significant portion of atmospheric CO2. Further technological interventions can also help. Rather than panic, we should focus on understanding and enhancing these natural and man-made CO2 removal processes.