In comparison to humans, Earth is a large planet, so it’s difficult for some to grasp the concept that our actions are capable of changing the environment. The more we try to meet our demand for energy, the more carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere, which contributes to the greenhouse effect. We extract carbon from the earth as coal, oil and gas, and a common byproduct is carbon dioxide. One way to combat carbon dioxide is to deal with the source of the problem.

According to the World Energy Outlook of 2006, power and industry factored in a combined 62 percent of carbon dioxide emissions. Transportation came in lower at 24 percent. By focusing in on power plants and other industries that produce carbon dioxide, we can better control the emissions. This is where a new technology called carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) comes into play.

CCS is a process that collects carbon dioxide, which prevents it from being emitted into the air and stimulating climate change. Once the gas is captured, it’s piped down into a layer of porous rock. Because carbon dioxide can be extract right at the power plants, this is a cheaper way of dealing with the problem. However, there are pros and cons associated with this method.

When you inject gases into the subsurface of Earth, there is potential for problems. For example, it’s not always easy to detect potential conduits underground, so a natural passageway could cause the carbon dioxide to leach out. The compressed carbon dioxide could then contaminate groundwater and/or cause small earthquakes. There could also be negative effects on humans, plants and animals too. More than 7 percent of concentrated carbon dioxide can suffocate a person.

Although this technology is new and has potential drawbacks, we have used similar methods in the past. For over 30 years, carbon dioxide has been pumped underground by the oil industry—ever heard of carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery? CCS would enable us to offset our carbon dioxide emissions, and it would also return minerals back to the earth. Within hundreds or thousands of years, the compressed gas would turn into limestone and other minerals.

In the United States, we could store 3,000 billion tons of carbon dioxide underground with CCS. It’s just a matter of finding a town who is willing to be a part of the experiment. While the benefits seem to outweigh the risks, this carbon storing method is not something to take lightly.