Direct Air Capture (DAC)

Direct air carbon capture (DAC) is a widely hyped technology that captures carbon dioxide directly from the ambient air. However, it can delay real climate change action. Here's a bullet-point list explaining this perspective:

1. Moral Hazard Argument:
• Belief that DACC provides a safety net might lead to reduced urgency in addressing emissions.
• Might lead to continuation of high-carbon behaviours if there's an assumption technology will fix it later.
2. Diversion of Funding:
• High costs associated with DACC can divert resources from more immediate and proven solutions.
• Investment in DACC might take away from renewables, energy efficiency, and other mitigation strategies.
3. Unproven at Scale:
• DACC is not yet demonstrated at the massive scales needed to be a primary solution.
• Banking on its scalability without evidence could be risky.
4. Energy Intensive:
• Current DACC methods often require significant amounts of energy, potentially offsetting some of the benefits of CO2 removal.
• If this energy isn't sourced from renewables, it can result in more emissions.
5. Focus on Symptoms, Not Cause:
• DACC addresses the symptom (accumulated CO2) rather than the root cause (emissions).
• Real climate action requires transformative changes in how we produce and consume energy.
6. Infrastructure Concerns:
• Building the infrastructure needed for large-scale DACC is resource and time-intensive.
• Time might be better spent on infrastructure for renewable energy, storage, and energy efficiency.
7. Risk of Overshadowing:
• Media attention and excitement about "technological saviours" might overshadow more fundamental strategies like conservation, reforestation, and behavioural change.
8. Storage Issues:
• Captured CO2 needs to be stored or utilized, which introduces new challenges.
• Concerns about the permanence of storage and potential leakage back into the atmosphere.
9. Economic Incentives:
• If carbon markets value DACC similarly to preventing emissions, businesses might opt for the former as it allows them to continue emitting.
10. Geo-political Concerns:

• Dependency on DACC might lead to geopolitical issues, especially if specific regions or countries control the majority of DACC facilities.

1. Biodiversity and Land Use:

• Large scale deployment might have land use implications, potentially affecting natural habitats and biodiversity.

1. Public Perception:

• Over-reliance on DACC could create public complacency, leading to a belief that technology alone will address climate change without the need for broader societal changes.

It's essential to understand that while DACC has potential benefits, relying solely on it without addressing the broader causes of climate change will be detrimental. The ideal approach to maintain business as usual is likely to be multifaceted, involving both emissions reductions and carbon removal strategies.

For more information on Direct Air Capture (DAC) talk to Green Elephant