Here’s how to capture carbon dioxide in the atmosphere — and why it’s so important

carbon
Credit: Nick Humphries (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)

Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide — the most commonly produced greenhouse gas — and storing it in the Earth. Most of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is formed by the combustion of fossil fuels, primarily coal and petroleum.

Follow the latest news and policy debates on sustainable agriculture, biomedicine, and other ‘disruptive’ innovations. Subscribe to our newsletter.

There are three types of carbon sequestration: biological, geological and technological. Biological carbon sequestration is the storage of carbon dioxide in vegetation found in the oceans, soils, forests and grasslands. Geological carbon sequestration is the process of storing carbon in underground geologic formations, like rocks. Technological carbon sequestration is a range of methods scientists are exploring to remove and sequester carbon using new technological innovations, as well as the investigation of innovative ways to use the carbon as a resource.

In less than 200 years, human activities have increased the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere by 50 percent. Around 45 percent of the carbon dioxide emitted by humans is still in the atmosphere, but carbon sequestration can prevent further emissions from contributing to global heating. Carbon sequestration reduces carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, which slows planetary warming and its negative effects on the climate.

This is an excerpt. Read the original post here

{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.singularReviewCountLabel }}
{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.pluralReviewCountLabel }}
{{ options.labels.newReviewButton }}
{{ userData.canReview.message }}

Related Articles

Infographic: Global regulatory and health research agencies on whether glyphosate causes cancer

Infographic: Global regulatory and health research agencies on whether glyphosate causes cancer

Does glyphosate—the world's most heavily-used herbicide—pose serious harm to humans? Is it carcinogenic? Those issues are of both legal and ...

Most Popular

Picture1
The FDA couldn’t find a vaccine safety crisis, so it buried its own research
Screenshot-2026-04-22-at-12.21.32-PM
Viewpoint: Why the retracted Monsanto glyphosate study doesn’t change the science—the world’s most popular herbicide is safe 
ChatGPT-Image-May-7-2026-12_32_36-PM
Viewpoint: The state of U.S. vaccine policy? Dismal nationally, but some states are stepping up.
placebo
Viewpoint — Alternative medicine and the placebo effect: Selling a reassuring illusion of health
_20250221_nib_rfk_trump
Viewpoint: 'Crisis of public trust': Autism support community shocked RFK continues to peddle false claims about the danger of vaccines
ChatGPT-Image-May-18-2026-01_45_05-PM-2
Newest hantavirus conspiracy: Online disinformation turns outbreak into latest ivermectin grift
Screenshot-2026-04-13-at-1.39.26-PM
Viewpoint: ‘Safer for children?’ Stonyfield yogurt under fire for deceptive organic marketing
Screenshot-2026-04-22-at-10.46.29-AM
Viewpoint: How to counter science disinformation? Science journalist offers 12 practical tips
the magic of mRNA
Viewpoint: Anti-vax fake ‘turbo cancer’ claims threaten cancer treatment breakthroughs
ChatGPT-Image-May-7-2026-12_16_37-PM-2
Viewpoint: Are cancer rates ‘skyrocketing’ as RFK, Jr. and MAHA claim? The evidence says mostly the opposite
Defense_Secretary_Ash_Carter_tours_the_Microsoft_Cybercrime_Center_in_Seattle_March_3_2016
How criminals are using AI to target social media users and steal their money and confidential data
ChatGPT-Image-May-18-2026-12_06_18-PM-2
Defying death: The immortality movement goes mainstream
glp menu logo outlined

Get news on human & agricultural genetics and biotechnology delivered to your inbox.