Carbon sequestration, the precautionary approach and the responsibility of scientists

2005 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 205-212
Author(s):  
L. Buhl-Mortensen ◽  
A. Myhr ◽  
S. Welin
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
Carbon Sequestration ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Precautionary Approach ◽  
Engineering Approach ◽  
Complete Discussion ◽  
Responsibility Of Scientists ◽  
Geological Formations

This paper reviews problems connected to the use of the deep-sea and sub-sea geological formations for carbon sequestration. We will focus on the risks and dangers involved in using this kind of large-scale engineering approach, which is not yet fully tested, to combat global warming. We will not provide a complete discussion on the technologies involved, but concentrate on a few principal questions, such as the responsibility of environmental scientists involved in this research. We will also discuss carbon sequestration in relation to the precautionary approach. We argue that there may be a place for large-scale engineering attempts, but this should be the last rather than the first option.

scholarly journals Definition and detection of vulnerable marine ecosystems on the high seas: problems with the “move-on” rule

2010 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 254-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Auster ◽  
Kristina Gjerde ◽  
Eric Heupel ◽  
Les Watling ◽  
Anthony Grehan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Sea ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
Fishing Gear ◽  
Precautionary Approach ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Food And Agriculture Organization ◽  
National Jurisdiction ◽  
High Seas

Abstract Auster, P. J., Gjerde, K., Heupel, E., Watling, L., Grehan, A., and Rogers, A. D. 2011. Definition and detection of vulnerable marine ecosystems on the high seas: problems with the “move-on” rule. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 254–264. Fishing in the deep sea in areas beyond national jurisdiction has produced multiple problems related to management for conservation and sustainable use. Based on a growing concern, the United Nations has called on States to prevent significant adverse impacts to vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) in the deep sea. Although Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) guidelines for management were produced through an international consultative process, implementing criteria for designation of VMEs and recognition of such areas when encountered by fishing gear have been problematic. Here we discuss assumptions used to identify VMEs and current requirements related to unforeseen encounters with fishing gear that do not meet technological or ecological realities. A more precautionary approach is needed, given the uncertainties about the location of VMEs and their resilience, such as greatly reducing the threshold for an encounter, implementation of large-scale permanent closed areas, and prohibition of bottom-contact fishing.

The Potential of Photoelectrochemical Carbon Sinks

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias May ◽  
Kira Rehfeld
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Carbon Sink ◽  
Solar Fuels ◽  
Negative Emissions ◽  
Viable Approach ◽  
Low Sensitivity

Greenhouse gas emissions must be cut to limit global warming to 1.5-2C above preindustrial levels. Yet the rate of decarbonisation is currently too low to achieve this. Policy-relevant scenarios therefore rely on the permanent removal of CO<sub>2</sub> from the atmosphere. However, none of the envisaged technologies has demonstrated scalability to the decarbonization targets for the year 2050. In this analysis, we show that artificial photosynthesis for CO<sub>2</sub> reduction may deliver an efficient large-scale carbon sink. This technology is mainly developed towards solar fuels and its potential for negative emissions has been largely overlooked. With high efficiency and low sensitivity to high temperature and illumination conditions, it could, if developed towards a mature technology, present a viable approach to fill the gap in the negative emissions budget.<br>

The Potential of Photoelectrochemical Carbon Sinks

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias May ◽  
Kira Rehfeld
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Carbon Sink ◽  
Solar Fuels ◽  
Negative Emissions ◽  
Viable Approach ◽  
Low Sensitivity

Greenhouse gas emissions must be cut to limit global warming to 1.5-2C above preindustrial levels. Yet the rate of decarbonisation is currently too low to achieve this. Policy-relevant scenarios therefore rely on the permanent removal of CO<sub>2</sub> from the atmosphere. However, none of the envisaged technologies has demonstrated scalability to the decarbonization targets for the year 2050. In this analysis, we show that artificial photosynthesis for CO<sub>2</sub> reduction may deliver an efficient large-scale carbon sink. This technology is mainly developed towards solar fuels and its potential for negative emissions has been largely overlooked. With high efficiency and low sensitivity to high temperature and illumination conditions, it could, if developed towards a mature technology, present a viable approach to fill the gap in the negative emissions budget.<br>

Assessment of Biomass and Carbon Stock of planted teak forest in Terai region of Kumaun Himalaya, India

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 397-402
Author(s):  
Tanuja Gahlot ◽  
◽  
Prachi Joshi ◽  
Y.S. Rawat ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Carbon Sequestration ◽  
Human Disturbance ◽  
Carbon Stock ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Positive Contribution ◽  
Teak Plantation ◽  
Forest Division

The ability of forests in atmospheric carbon sequestration is increasingly gaining attention. Present study deals with the estimation of biomass and carbon stock of the teak plantation in the terai central forest division in Kumaun, Uttarakhand State of India. Very few scientific studies were done regarding the teak plantation and the estimation of its biomass in Kumaun. Therefore this study was carried out in this region to assess the role played by teak plantation in climate change. The information regarding the changes in pattern of carbon storage is vital and important because it can be used by government and policymakers to predict the deposit pattern for changing climate. Three sites i.e., Kamola block (Site I), Kamola beat (Site II) and East Gadappu beat (Site III) were selected for the study. Large scale variations in biomass and carbon stock were noted among all three sites. Site III (East Gadappu) showed the maximum biomass and carbon stock (297.03 tha-1 and 143.18 tha-1) followed by site I (Kamola block) (241.9 tha -1and 117.27 t ha-1) and site II ( Kamola beat ) (175.76 t ha-1and 85.79 t ha-1). Although stand density and total basal area of the forest showed almost similar value on all three sites, still the differences in biomass and carbon stock at all sites indicated the positive contribution of biodiversity as shown in the results and negative implications of human disturbance to the forest.

scholarly journals The Arteriovenous Loop: Engineering of Axially Vascularized Tissue

2018 ◽  
Vol 59 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 286-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annika Weigand ◽  
Raymund E. Horch ◽  
Anja M. Boos ◽  
Justus P. Beier ◽  
Andreas Arkudas
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
Loop Model ◽  
Engineering Approach ◽  
In Vivo Tissue Engineering ◽  
Tissue Engineering Approach ◽  
Tissue Defects

Background: Most of the current treatment options for large-scale tissue defects represent a serious burden for the patients, are often not satisfying, and can be associated with significant side effects. Although major achievements have already been made in the field of tissue engineering, the clinical translation in case of extensive tissue defects is only in its early stages. The main challenge and reason for the failure of most tissue engineering approaches is the missing vascularization within large-scale transplants. Summary: The arteriovenous (AV) loop model is an in vivo tissue engineering strategy for generating axially vascularized tissues using the own body as a bioreactor. A superficial artery and vein are anastomosed to create an AV loop. This AV loop is placed into an implantation chamber for prevascularization of the chamber inside, e.g., a scaffold, cells, and growth factors. Subsequently, the generated tissue can be transplanted with its vascular axis into the defect site and anastomosed to the local vasculature. Since the blood supply of the growing tissue is based on the AV loop, it will be immediately perfused with blood in the recipient site leading to optimal healing conditions even in the case of poorly vascularized defects. Using this tissue engineering approach, a multitude of different axially vascularized tissues could be generated, such as bone, skeletal or heart muscle, or lymphatic tissues. Upscaling from the small animal AV loop model into a preclinical large animal model could pave the way for the first successful attempt in clinical application. Key Messages: The AV loop model is a powerful tool for the generation of different axially vascularized replacement tissues. Due to minimal donor site morbidity and the possibility to generate patient-specific tissues variable in type and size, this in vivo tissue engineering approach can be considered as a promising alternative therapy to current treatment options of large-scale defects.

Evaluating the Consistency between Statistically Downscaled and Global Dynamical Model Climate Change Projections

2008 ◽  
Vol 21 (22) ◽  
pp. 6052-6059 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Timbal ◽  
P. Hope ◽  
S. Charles
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
Statistical Downscaling ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Specific Humidity ◽  
Model Output ◽  
Winter Rainfall ◽  
Direct Model ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The consistency between rainfall projections obtained from direct climate model output and statistical downscaling is evaluated. Results are averaged across an area large enough to overcome the difference in spatial scale between these two types of projections and thus make the comparison meaningful. Undertaking the comparison using a suite of state-of-the-art coupled climate models for two forcing scenarios presents a unique opportunity to test whether statistical linkages established between large-scale predictors and local rainfall under current climate remain valid in future climatic conditions. The study focuses on the southwest corner of Western Australia, a region that has experienced recent winter rainfall declines and for which climate models project, with great consistency, further winter rainfall reductions due to global warming. Results show that as a first approximation the magnitude of the modeled rainfall decline in this region is linearly related to the model global warming (a reduction of about 9% per degree), thus linking future rainfall declines to future emission paths. Two statistical downscaling techniques are used to investigate the influence of the choice of technique on projection consistency. In addition, one of the techniques was assessed using different large-scale forcings, to investigate the impact of large-scale predictor selection. Downscaled and direct model projections are consistent across the large number of models and two scenarios considered; that is, there is no tendency for either to be biased; and only a small hint that large rainfall declines are reduced in downscaled projections. Among the two techniques, a nonhomogeneous hidden Markov model provides greater consistency with climate models than an analog approach. Differences were due to the choice of the optimal combination of predictors. Thus statistically downscaled projections require careful choice of large-scale predictors in order to be consistent with physically based rainfall projections. In particular it was noted that a relative humidity moisture predictor, rather than specific humidity, was needed for downscaled projections to be consistent with direct model output projections.

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