There is much excitement in the reporting of a new initiative in this area, because of the opportunities it would bring for expanding the use of coal and gas while reducing the emissions produced, and because of the employment potential that the scheme has; additionally it would mean the emphasis on a viable renewables strategy could be reduced - though this is not being admitted at the moment. The assumption is that the carbon dioxide stored in our seas would be stored safely and could never be released, but the possibility of earth movements and under-sea eruptions cannot guarantee that this is the case.
However it is done, the costs of carbon capture will be enormous and I wonder sometimes what would transpire if the billions of dollars involved were used to research, seriously, the use of solar power, for example, to replace totally nuclear and fossil fuels as our source of energy. The knowledge is there but the will of world leaders - influenced by the persuasions of corporates and tax revenues - is not, and it is such a pity. As humans we have choices and how we choose determines if our path is smooth or rocky: this could all have been so much easier, if we were not so blind.]]>
