Carbon sequestration

Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas in the atmosphere.^[1] One method of sequestration is by capturing CO₂ produced by power plants and factories before they release it into the atmosphere.^[1] When the CO₂ gas is in long-term storage, that means it has been sequestered.

Illustration showing both terrestrial and geological sequestration of carbon dioxide

Carbon sequestration aims to assist in elimination of human introduced carbon from Earth's atmosphere by disrupting the carbon cycle. It is also used to prevent future human caused climate change.^[2]

Methods

There are two long-term ways to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere:

1. Terrestrial Sequestration- plants and trees store CO₂ in their bodies and in their roots.^[3]
2. geologic sequestration- bury the CO₂ thousands of feet underground.^[4]