Various methods of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) are being pursued in response to the climate crisis, but they are mostly not proven at scale. Climate experts are divided over whether CDR is a necessary requirement or a dangerous distraction from limiting emissions. In this Viewpoint, six experts offer their views on the CDR debate.
This is really something that we need to perfect. Rapidly pulling carbon out of the atmosphere and getting the level back down to a reasonable number sounds like a worthy goal (assuming CO2 removal will still have positive effects when it’s fully developed). I like to think this kind of tech can be researched, implemented, and the end effects realized in 200 years. Humans may even be capable of dialing in an “ideal” CO2 ppm based on super accurate climate models.
This kind of tech should never be used as an excuse to keep burning stuff. That needs to stop asap and the excess that’s already in the air needs to be removed.
Also, I’m not interested in what any doomer naysayers have to say about this. I’m invested in the future and am part of the effort, you clearly aren’t. Keep your pessimism to yourself.