Sekera and Lichtenberger’s Paper on Carbon Capture and Public Policy Published in Biophysical Economics and Sustainability

In a recently published paper, June Sekera, Senior Research Fellow at BU’s Global Development Policy Center and her collaborator from The New School, Andreas Lichtenberger, reviewed the literature on carbon dioxide removal and found that the use of public funds to subsidize industrial-chemical methods is often counterproductive. The paper analyzes the flawed premises upon which industrial-chemical methods can lead to false promises of climate change “mitigation”.

From typhoons to wildfires, as the visible impacts of climate change mount, calls for “carbon dioxide removal” are escalating. Governments are being called upon to act. Many climatologists are urging steps to enhance biological methods of carbon sequestration. But oil companies and business entrepreneurs seeking new avenues for profit have launched ventures in industrial–chemical carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and have sought government financing. Given the growing drumbeat for government action, how can public leaders know which methods work and which don’t? 

*

Never miss an update: Sign up to receive ECI’s newsletter.