Fighting global warming by greenhouse gas removal: destroying atmospheric nitrous oxide thanks to synergies between two breakthrough technologies

Abstract

Even if humans stop discharging CO2 into the atmosphere, the average global temperature will still increase during this century. A lot of research has been devoted to prevent and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the atmosphere, in order to mitigate the effects of climate change. Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) is one of the technologies that might help to limit emissions. In complement, direct CO2 removal from the atmosphere has been proposed after the emissions have occurred. But, the removal of all the excess anthropogenic atmospheric CO2 will not be enough, due to the fact that CO2 outgases from the ocean as its solubility is dependent of its atmospheric partial pressure. Bringing back the Earth average surface temperature to pre-industrial levels would require the removal of all previously emitted CO2. Thus, the atmospheric removal of other greenhouse gases is necessary. This article proposes a combination of disrupting techniques to transform nitrous oxide (N2O), the third most important greenhouse gas (GHG) in terms of current radiative forcing, which is harmful for the ozone layer and possesses quite high global warming potential. Although several scientific publications cite "greenhouse gas removal," to our knowledge, it is the first time innovative solutions are proposed to effectively remove N2O or other GHGs from the atmosphere other than CO2.

The Carbon Dioxide Removal Model Intercomparison Project (CDRMIP): rationale and experimental protocol for CMIP6

“…Potential future experiments could include biomass energy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) or ocean fertilization. Future experiments could also include the removal of non-CO 2 greenhouse gases, for example methane, as these in many cases have a much higher global warming potential (de Richter et al, 2017;Ming et al, 2016). We also envision that it will be necessary to investigate the simultaneous deployment of several CDR or other greenhouse gas removal methods since early studies suggest that there is likely not an individually capable method (Keller et al, 2014).…”

Author's response to reviewer #2

“…It is anticipated that this will be the first stage of an ongoing project methane, as these in many cases have a much higher global warming potential (de_Richter et al, 2017;Ming et al, 2016). We also envision that it will be (Keller et al, 2014).…”

The Carbon Dioxide Removal Model Intercomparison Project (CDR-MIP): Rationale and experimental design

“…Links to all forcing data can also be found on the CMIP6 Panel website 1270 methane, as these in many cases have a much higher global warming potential 1281 (de_Richter et al, 2017;Ming et al, 2016). We also envision that it will be 1282 39 Geosci.…”