Carbon removal in any form (as there are a few different forms), is now and will continue to be controversial.  There are those in the climate advocacy space that say we should stay away from going down a carbon removal path for two reasons.  One is the technology is in its infancy, is expensive, and unproven to scale.  Therefore, it is is taking away resources from more proven solutions.  (To learn more about the different forms carbon removal, see cdrprimer.org.)  

Excluding carbon removal technology misses out on the big picture represented by the carbon life cycle.  Carbon capture is foundational in addressing our path to decarbonization.  Not only does it reduce the production of CO2, it also addresses the CO2 already produced and lingering in our atmosphere.  

If we were to stop all burning of fossil fuels today…right now…thus minimizing the CO2 emitted into our atmosphere, we still have a significant problem due to the CO2 already in the atmosphere.   As a result, we need to come up with ways of getting it out of the atmosphere and on a huge scale.  And finally once removed, we need to figure out what to do with it.

This also leads to the other reason why a faction within the climate advocacy space wants nothing to do with carbon removal.  There are those who think the need for carbon removal and storage comes from the oil companies in efforts for them to stay in business since it takes away incentives to move to clean energy.

A problem with this exclusion is turning our backs on the knowledge and talent for CO2 storage.  Since carbon capture must be done to address current CO2 production and existence in the atmosphere, injecting CO2 into the Earth is seen as the most viable way of permanently storing it.  The best knowledge and talent for doing this comes from the oil companies.  They have been injecting CO2 below the surface ever since 1972 when CO2 was first used to enhance oil recovery.

Rather turning our backs to those with the knowledge on how to store captured carbon, we should be taking advantage of their know-how.  There is so much CO2 we need to permanently store -- and these people know how to do it.