Comparing The Primary Methods Of Reducing The Consumption Of Carbon Dioxide

There are three primary methods for reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, employing energy efficiency and conservation practices, using carbon free or reduced-carbon energy resources, and capturing and storing carbon either from fossil fuels or from the atmosphere. There are many energy efficiency and conservation practices that reduce the consumption of carbon-based fuels (e.g natural gas, oil, coal, or gasoline), decreasing carbon dioxide emissions.

Another way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions is to use carbon-free or reduced-carbon sources of energy. Carbon free sources of energy have their own associated impacts, but in general, these technological generates energy without producing and emitting carbon dioxide to the
atmosphere. Carbon-free energy sources include solar power, wind power, geothermal energy, low head hydropower, and hydrokinetics (e.g wave and tidal power), and nuclear power. Alternatively, switching from high-carbon fuels like coal and oil, to reduces-carbon fuels such as natural gas, will also result in reduced carbon dioxide emissions. The extent biomass energy is considered to be carbon-free or a reduced-carbon fuel depends on the type of Biomass used and the processes by which it is converted to energy.

The third option of reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is carbon sequestration. Carbon sequestration involves the capture and storage of carbon dioxide that would otherwise be present in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect. Carbon dioxide can be captured ( either before or after fossil fuel is burned and then be stored (sequestered within the earth.