A research strategy for ocean carbon dioxide removal and sequestration
This summer, you may find yourself on the shore’s edge admiring the vastness and beauty of the ocean. There’s a lot going on in there! According to The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the ocean covers about 70% of the Earth’s surface and buffers a large fraction of anthropogenic CO2 emissions—removing roughly 55% of emitted CO2 naturally. BUT, it may be possible to enhance both the uptake and longer-term sequestration potential of these processes. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is looking to do just that and are currently soliciting nominations for individuals to serve on the Committee on A Research Strategy for Ocean Carbon Dioxide Removal and Sequestration.
About the committee
The committee will explore ocean-based approaches to carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and sequestration and provide a path forward for research and development of promising CDR approaches. The carbon dioxide removal approaches to be examined include recovery of ocean and coastal ecosystems (including as one aspect the restocking of whale populations; iron, nitrogen or phosphorus fertilization; artificial upwelling (and downwelling); seawater CO2 stripping; seaweed permaculture; ocean alkalinity enhancement. Learn more here.
The committee seeks to appoint 12 experts in:
- Physical, biological and chemical oceanography
- Chemical engineering
- Carbon capture
- Economics
View detailed description of the committee’s tasks here.