Human emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases drive ongoing climate change and limiting the extent of further global warming is a key element of the Paris Climate Agreement. Climate stabilization efforts will require net zero human CO2 emissions by roughly mid-century, and many climate scenarios require substantial levels of deliberate CO2 removal from the atmosphere to meet these goals. At present, the natural processes in the ocean act as a major sink for anthropogenic CO2, and various biological and industrial technologies have been proposed for enhancing ocean CO2 removal. A recent National Academies report addressed many of the issues around ocean-based CO2 approaches.

Dr. Scott Doney was also Chair of the National Academy Committee on A Research Strategy for Ocean Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) and Sequestration, which released a report early this year. Available here