Is temporary sequestration of much value in combating global warming?
A reasonable question to ask is whether temporary sequestration of carbon, and thus a temporary reduction of the concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, of much real value in attempts to reduce the global concentrations of greenhouse gases and thus counter any possible threats posed by the forecast global warming?
The answer is 'yes', and there are several strong and convincing reasons why this is so.
First of all, any sequestration, even for only for 10, 20 or 30 years, is valuable because it reduces the concentration and therefore any global warming that the sequestered carbon dioxide would have caused, if it was in the atmosphere.
Second, such reduced concentrations offer a breathing space for communities to adapt to reduced energy demand, for technology to improve the efficiency with which energy is used, for improvements in renewable energy and wider application, and various other measures which the global population may take.
Third there is a complex scientific reason, which has to do with the fact that a molecule of carbon dioxide will produce less warming in the future when the atmospheric concentrations are higher.
One might conclude by commenting that the Kyoto Protocol of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change clearly sees the advantages in even temporary sequestration, because the Kyoto Convention (December 1997) of over 150 countries agreed to include such opportunities as valid tools in managing greenhouse gas concentrations.
The collateral environmental benefits, of course, will also assist in meeting national and global goals of sustainable development.
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