October 12, 1998 transcript # 255-1
Subject(s):pollution
Title: STORING POLUTIONYou probably already know that carbon emissions from things like cars and power plants can really do a number on the atmosphere. But have you heard the latest ideas on what to do with that global warming culprit? Hi, I’m Dave Thurlow; this is The Weather Notebook. Since it seems unlikely that we humans will reduce our fossil fuel consumptions anytime soon, two alternatives are being explored to deal with the resulting carbon dioxide pollution.
First of all, the carbon dioxide—or CO2-- must be what is called "captured" or "collected," which is currently being done through a complex chemical absorption process. But then you have a storage problem; where do you put it? Well, there are a couple of options of what to do with that CO2. One of them involves pumping it into the aquifers beneath the ocean floors. This project is already being tested by a Norway oil company in the North Sea, and, so far, seems to be a safe solution.
The second option is to discharge the captured CO2 directly into the ocean waters, either as blocks of dry ice or as a liquid. But this is a much more disputed method. Many scientists and environmentalists believe that the CO2 will increase the acidity of the water which will, in turn, harm marine life. Also, some oceanographers say there’s still not enough known about water circulation and mixing in the oceans, so it’s hard to be sure the CO2 can actually be contained.
Testing of this process will begin soon off the Hawaiian coast just to see how safe and effective this form of disposal is. But even if both methods prove to be positive, they are still very costly. Some critics say that what we really need to be doing to protect the atmosphere is focusing on how to reduce our use of fossil fuels.
Now, for more information on this rather complicated issue, visit our website at weathernotebook.org. Today’s show was written by Jeanne Twehous. The Weather Notebook is produced by the Mount Washington Observatory, with underwriting provided by Subaru, "the beauty of all-wheel drive", and by the National Science Foundation.