· 2 min read
illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: A new study warns that the planet’s realistic capacity to store carbon underground is far more limited than previously believed
• While theoretical estimates suggested storage of up to 13 trillion tons of CO₂, the new research slashes that to just 1.6 trillion tons
• The study highlights that practical constraints — like fault lines, proximity to cities, and groundwater protection — dramatically reduce viable options
• This would avert only 0.7°C of warming, not the 5°C many models had assumed
🔭 The context: Carbon capture and storage (CCS) has been a cornerstone of many net-zero plans, especially for hard-to-abate sectors
• This study, published in Nature, is the first to map out “prudent potential,” excluding high-risk geological areas
• The findings challenge the assumption that CCS can be used at scale to compensate for ongoing fossil fuel emissions
• Researchers stress CCS should be seen as a finite resource, not a climate escape hatch
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Misplaced reliance on CCS could delay essential emissions reductions
• The limited capacity means it must be prioritized for sectors like cement, steel, and aviation where alternatives are scarce
• Using CCS to prolong fossil fuel use in power and transport could squander its limited climate benefit
• Strategic planning is now essential to preserve the remaining viable storage for the most critical applications
⏭️ What’s next: Governments may need to rethink CCS deployment strategies in national climate plans
• Focus likely to shift toward rapid emissions reductions and renewable energy scaling
• International frameworks may begin ranking or certifying storage sites to prevent premature overuse
• The study could influence funding and investment decisions in carbon removal technologies
💬 One quote: “Carbon storage is often portrayed as a way out of the climate crisis Our findings make clear that it is a limited tool” — Matthew Gidden, lead author
📈 One stat: Only 1.6 trillion tons of CO₂ can be safely and realistically stored underground—just 12% of the previously assumed potential
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