The problem
The consensus of science is clear: the environment of the entire planet is an acute risk as a result of a general increase in temperature caused by the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, both of which arises directly or indirectly from human activity. Proposals to limit carbon dioxide emissions remain contentious and only slowly, if at all, implemented. Moreover, it is difficult to anticipate under any realistic set of circumstances a rapid enough reduction in the use of fossil fuels to do more than slow the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the near term. Wishful thinking aside, we face several decades with the planetary environment under serious to severe stress. Therefore, if we cannot quickly rid ourselves of dependence on fossil fuels, removing carbon from the atmosphere becomes a logical and critical innovative challenge.
Importance and scale
The current stress on our environment is already producing great economic disadvantage: disruption in global agriculture, extreme weather, intense firestorms and the intrusion of rising water levels in many coastal urban areas. A wide range of environmental remediation efforts come with a mounting cost. Serious disruptions in overall economic activity can also be anticipated. And the energy markets are themselves prone to instability and subsequent economic disadvantage.
Additional project details
More information about this project will be shared during the kickoff meeting. Students will receive all the details they need at that time.