A few months back I wrote a post describing ‘carbon capturing’ and some of the practices associated with it. Carbon capture is a technology that converts carbon dioxide emissions into a form that can be stored underground which is viewed by world leaders and oil industrialists as an important way to reduce greenhouse gases. I also briefly mentioned that implementing carbon capture technology on such a mass scale to help curb the rate of future carbon emissions, faces challenges such as high costs, energy requirements, and the need for suitable storage sites. Welp, upon further investigation on the subject of ‘carbon capturing’, I have come to the conclusion that the actual practice may be more of a misnomer and more of a ploy used to distract the world from rapidly phasing out fossil fuels.
According to an article posted on American Scientific website, The U.S. Department of Energy has invested tens of billions into poorly conceived and managed “clean coal” and carbon capturing projects. These projects were proven to be energy intensive, and often powered by dirty energy, adding to the source’s overall carbon footprint. Such efforts have been ultimately condemned by the Government Accountability Office even though the U.S. 45Q tax credit for carbon capture projects is still paying $60 a tonne for carbon used in enhanced oil recovery. The results so far is delaying the retirement of the fossil fuel industry. While the potential for carbon removal technologies exist only when used in a much more targeted way, mass Industrial carbon capture does nothing to reduce the health damage caused by fossil fuels. The process of capturing, transporting, and storing carbon poses additional safety and health threats to communities nearby, including from toxic releases and waste.
Here in the U.S., we should immediately start raising concerns about the 45Q tax breaks for enhanced oil recovery, which is simply subsidizing the oil industry’s bottom line and increasing emissions at taxpayers’ expense. This effort can also involve challenging the Department of Energy’s funding for carbon capture projects that benefit fossil fuel interests. Such funding could be immediately redirected to more effective climate solutions such as phasing out fossil fuels. Lastly, the Government Accountability Office and Congress should continue to investigate how billions of taxpayer dollars ended up subsidizing “greenwashing” tactics implemented by oil and other heavy industrial industries.
How does this involve your dollars you ask?
Over the next couples of years there will be more of a hyper focus on fighting climate change as well as organizing to send strong messages to the major perpetrators of rising emissions. There will be conversations and other efforts focused more around carbon reduction strategies such as phasing out fossil fuels and eliminating harmful industrialization practices. This will involve grassroots organizing and heavy lobbying efforts on behalf of those of us who will want to bring about long lasting change. We all can play a part by calling our representatives and consciously donating resources to specific campaigns and causes that could be beneficial to you in the near future. Here are some of the major players to look out for: