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Following COP21, nations largely in Europe are exploring the viability of deploying Bio-energy with CCS (BECCS) (ie. the UK, Finland, Sweden & USA). However, this change 'saviour' just won't work!
BECCS is touted as carbon-negative but many assumptions are made. Firstly, we can produce enough biomass to replace the majority of fossil-fuel produced electricity and that these would be carbon-neutral. Advocates argue that as plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere then, burning these would not contribute to a net gain in CO2. This does not account the energy needed for growing, harvesting, processing and transporting the biomass.
Ask yourself this...
BECCS is touted as carbon-negative but many assumptions are made. Firstly, we can produce enough biomass to replace the majority of fossil-fuel produced electricity and that these would be carbon-neutral. Advocates argue that as plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere then, burning these would not contribute to a net gain in CO2. This does not account the energy needed for growing, harvesting, processing and transporting the biomass.
Ask yourself this...
Q1.
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Would you sacrifice precious land for producing biomass or for food? Especially as human population growth continues to explode towards 9.7 billion by 2050.
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Q2.
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Q3.
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What is more important, retaining stores of carbon from forests or woody Savannah or producing biomass for fuel? Isn't this counterproductive?
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Q4.
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Should we invest time, effort and resource into BECCS when there is no evidence to suggest it will work on a large-scale?
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Q5.
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Do we have enough room for food and biomass production? The illustration below, certainly suggests we don't.
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Hi, wow, I really enjoyed following you here - and your comprehensive approach when capturing the magnitude of the issues. The illustrations you used were helpful and on point! I directed people to your blog on my post on Geoengeneering so visitors can find some more questions and answers here.
ReplyDeleteThat's great, I hope more and more people become aware about geoengineering and the risky methods scientists are looking into.
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