Ironing out carbon - One mans solution to carbon sequestration Essay

Ironing out atomic number 6 DioxideCarbon Dioxide plays a key role in the atmosphere. This gas has properties that allow it to sustain and hold in heat, which in turn warms the planet (EIA, 2004). Carbon, the primary component of carbon dioxide is also the essential molecule for life and is the most basic building block found in all organic compounds. Human activities been blamed for the disruption of the earths natural carbon cycles and according to some studies, carbon is being added to the atmosphere express than the natural processes that sequestrate it. The massive carbon sinks that naturally regulated and fixated excess carbon dioxide have been destroyed as humans have deforested ancient forests for the pursuit of building their cities and supplying lands for agriculture. Research shows that there has been a consistent balance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere for the past 10,000 years (Hamburg, Harris et al 1999) this balance has shifted promptly in the last 150 years.T he ProblemCarbon dioxide, produced through combustion and oxidation has become a growing concern in todays society. In industrialized countries greenhouse gases and the personal effects on our environment are becoming an issue that no longer can be ignored. Changes such as increasing temperatures, the melting of the Arctic ice cap, rising sea levels, and more violent weather activities (hurricanes, droughts, and hotter/longer summers) are becoming more and more diaphanous with each decade. The rapid increase of carbon dioxide appears to be a key component of the in the development of these occurrences, however global warming has sparked such(prenominal) statement because the data that has been collected over the past century has conflicting trends (planktos.com, 2004). It is difficult to predict the behavior of the earths climate because it is ever changing and erratic, much to the chagrin of scientific modelers the earths climate refuses to adhere to computer models. Historicall y temperatures have fluctuated on the surface of the planet however, with new technology and satellite data collection, conflicts in data have caused scientists to rethink their conclusions on the causes of these temperature fluctuations. What can be proven is that humans are affecting the planet in unfavourable ways. Mass deforestation, burning of f... ...Sources citedAmerican Society of Limnology and Oceanography. The Scientific and Policy Uncertainties Surrounding the Use of Ocean Fertilization to Transfer Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide to the Oceans. American Society of Limnology and Oceanography. http//www.aslo.org/meetings/carbon2001/chisholm/transcript2.htmlCaroline Dopyera, The Iron Hypothesis Earth, October 1996Hamburg, Steven, Harris, Neil, et al. 1999 How do we know that the Atmospheric Build-up of Greenhouse Gases is Due to Human Activity? 20 October 2001http//www.gcrio.org/ipcc/qa/05.htmLawrence, Mark G. Side effects of Oceanic Iron Fertilization Science 20 September 200 2National Energy Information Center (NEIC),Energy Information Administration, Greenhouse gases, climate change and power Publication EI-30http//www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/ggccebro/chapter1.htmlPALMER, ALASDAIR. FOCUS PLANKTON TO THE RESCUE the man who says he can save the planet The Sunday Telegraph Sydney 23 August 2003United States, Department of Energy. Capturing and Sequestering Carbon Dioxide DOE Document PI -0001. November 2003http//climatetechnology.gov/library/2003/currentactivities/sequester.htm