Natural Solutions
By: Jonathon Cant, Category: Lifelong Learning, Date: 30 Sep 2011
Is there a natural solution to our carbon emissions problem?
A recent newsarticle indicated to the world that apparently the worlds plants are processing our CO2 at faster rate than previously thought and this prompted me to think, what about the concept of a carbon sink?
A carbon sink is "a natural or artificial reservoir that accumulates and stores some carbon-containing chemical compound for an indefinite period." To learn more about carbon sinks (aka carbon sequestration), click here.
- Is this a solution on its own?
Many of the worlds major forests are considered to be carbon sinks, it is even theorised that we may be able to develop plantations of forests to act like giant sponges to soak up our carbon emissions. It's not just the trees, the largest carbon sink in the world surrounds every border of Australia, yep, you guessed it, our beloved ocean is the bigest carbon sink in the entire world.
- What do you think about natural ways of reducing emissions, can you think of any others?
- Should we put more resources into protecting and developing these avenues, or just focus on technological development?
Let us know.