Carbon Solution? by Matthew Homsher 9th

Summary: Dr. Klaus Lackner and some other scientists have created a tree shaped device that will suck CO2 out of the air and, potentially, reduce carbon emissions to pre-industrialization levels. The trees are made out of plastic with a type of resin that captures CO2 when dry and releases it when wet. Dr. Lackner is currently working to create tree pods in Boston that use his resin and solar power technology to light the streets of Boston at night. For now Dr. Lackner’s new device is being used in greenrooms to help trees grow, but he says it could soon be possible to collect CO2 and turn it into building materials. Most scientists in Dr. Lackner’s field are worried that he might be opening Pandora’s Box with this new technology. Fiddling with CO2 levels in the environment could have drastic consequences. However, if increases in CO2 levels allow the mean temperature to rise above two degrees Celsius then it might be necessary. At that point in time we will have officially released more CO2 into the atmosphere than we take out of it.

Synopsis: I’m a little wary of Dr. Lackner’s invention for two reasons. The first caution is that solar technology is actually more environmentally damaging than most fossil fuels, in terms of waste, carbon emissions, and chemicals used. Also, I share other scientists’ views about tampering with the global CO2 knobs, it sounds potentially dangerous. It may be possible to develop Dr. Lackner’s technology so that it is fueled by CO2, creating another alternative energy source.  However, if  Dr. Lackner was willing to use electricity generated by fossil fuels it could still reduce CO2 emissions and might even solve this environmental energy crisis for a while. Big companies would get to continue to produce fossil fuels and not have to worry about carbon emissions.

For more information, click on the link below:

http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/26/tech/pioneers-carbon-sink-geoengineering-climate-hack/index.html