What is Carbon Sequestration?

Carbon sequestration is the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by plants that retain a portion of the carbon dioxide during photosynthesis.

Carbon is cycled throughout the biosphere and exists as a prominent element in living things. For example, one-half of the dry wood of a tree is composed of carbon. To maintain a state of equilibrium, the amount of carbon found in water, land and other aspects of our atmosphere must be in a healthy balance.

Unfortunately, human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and changing how we use our lands have resulted in an excessive amount of carbon dioxide being released into our atmosphere, causing an imbalance. Excessive carbon dioxide is the most prominent greenhouse gas that causes global warming. While the earth does benefit from a natural greenhouse effect caused by gases in the atmosphere that help keep the earth's temperature at a relatively constant level to support life, the addition of more greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, increases warming to an undesirable level.

Various entities have taken action to reduce the release of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere in hopes of creating a healthier environment. For example, numerous energy companies are working with the Department of Energy to reduce carbon emissions through the use of more efficient technology, cleaner burning fuels and the sequestration of carbon from the atmosphere through a voluntary program known as the "Climate Challenge" Program. The program has received a favorable response with more than 600 utilities participating. Some of the methods that have been utilized to reduce carbon dioxide emissions include the following: 1) Conversion to cleaner burning fuels and 2) Retrofitting electric generating plants with more effective equipment. The sequestration of carbon will not be the dominant tool for reducing carbon dioxide, but it is the most cost effective.

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