By Anna Lexxy Mbucho
Carbon emissions refer to the release of carbon-containing compounds, primarily carbon dioxide (CO₂), into the atmosphere. These emissions are a major contributor to global warming and climate change. They result from various human activities and natural processes. Innovative technologies to reduce carbon emissions are crucial for addressing climate change and transitioning to a low-carbon economy.
The most usual form of carbon emissions is carbon dioxide (CO₂). Other significant carbon containing gases include methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O), which are also potent greenhouse gases. Burning coal, oil, and natural gas for energy in power plants, vehicles, and industrial processes releases CO₂ into the atmosphere. Cutting down trees reduces the planet’s ability to absorb CO₂ from the air, and the decay or burning of trees releases stored carbon.
Agricultural practices, including livestock digestion (which produces methane) and the use of synthetic fertilizers (which release nitrous oxide), contribute to carbon emissions. Certain industrial activities, such as cement production and chemical manufacturing, emit CO₂ and other greenhouse gases. Decomposition of organic waste in landfills produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Carbon emissions trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate change. This warming can cause more extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and disruptions to ecosystems. The emissions are often measured in terms of CO₂ equivalents (CO₂e), which standardizes the impact of different greenhouse gases based on their global warming potential. Reducing carbon emissions involves transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, reforestation, and adopting sustainable practices in agriculture and industry.
How can we mitigate such effects? This can be done in many ways. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) which include, direct air capture which captures CO₂ directly from the air and stores it underground or uses it in industrial processes. DAC facilities can be located anywhere, not just near emission sources. There is also post-combustion capture which can be applied to existing power plants and industrial processes to capture CO₂ from flue gases before it is released into the atmosphere.
Another solution is switching to renewable energy technologies. These can range from Solar power which advances in solar panel efficiency and new materials (such as perovskite solar cells) are making solar energy more accessible and affordable, wind power which is using larger and more efficient wind turbines, offshore wind farms, and floating wind turbines that can operate in deeper waters and enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) and improved drilling techniques allow for more widespread use of geothermal energy, which is a reliable and low-carbon energy source.
Energy from renewable sources can be stored more efficiently with the development of long-lasting, high-capacity batteries like flow and solid-state batteries. pumping hydro storage, which raises water levels by using excess electricity and then releases it to provide energy when needed. Transportation driven by hydrogen and electricity is becoming more frequent. The most popular type of these vehicles are electric vehicles, which are becoming increasingly practical due to advancements in battery technology and charging infrastructure. This is helping to reduce the need for fossil fuels.
Smart networks integrate renewable energy sources and increase system dependability by monitoring and controlling electricity distribution more effectively using digital technology. There is a need for solutions that can lessen the requirement for peak power plants driven by fossil fuels by adjusting energy usage based on supply and demand.
Construction-related emissions can be decreased by using materials with smaller carbon footprints, such as recycled materials or carbon-negative substitutes (such carbon-capturing concrete). Long-term environmental benefits result from building designs that use high-efficiency insulation, passive solar heating, and intelligent energy management systems to lower total energy use.
Biofuels produced from renewable biological sources, such as algae or agricultural waste, biofuels can replace fossil fuels in transportation and industry. Synthetic fuels created from CO₂ and renewable energy sources, offer a way to produce low-carbon fuels for various applications. Captured CO₂ can be converted into useful products, such as synthetic fuels, building materials, or chemicals, reducing the amount of CO₂ that needs to be stored. Using captured CO₂ to extract additional oil from depleted fields can reduce the overall carbon footprint of oil production.
Agriculture-related emissions can be minimized, and fertilizer usage maximized with the help of technologies like drones and GPS-guided tractors. Agroforestry, cover crops, and no-till farming are some of the practices that improve the soil’s capacity to take in and hold carbon. The emissions related to cement manufacturing can be decreased via innovations in cement production, such as the use of carbon capture or substitute materials.
Energy-efficient machinery and waste heat recovery are two manufacturing process enhancements that can reduce industrial emissions. These technological advancements offer a wide variety of strategies for cutting carbon emissions and slowing down global warming. To meet the global climate goals, these ideas must be developed, researched, and implemented further.