The Different Colours of Hydrogen Hydrogen will be key in helping the UK reach net zero GHG emissions by 2050. What is meant by the different colours of hydrogen? Hydrogen is currently the only practical option for the decarbonisation of steel production, shipping and long-haul air travel. Hydrogen will be necessary for long distance transport of goods and passengers by road. All the major truck manufacturers are developing hydrogen powered…

A recent study published in the journal Nature, demonstrates some unpleasant facts about bottom trawling for fish.  Namely that it results in carbon emissions higher than that of pre-pandemic global aviation (around 2%).  Unlike aviation, bottom trawling could be eliminated completely.  All the more so because it is unprofitable without the current substantial government subsidies. Bottom Trawling is a climate change disaster and uneconomic. Why is Bottom Trawling a climate change…

Why Direct Air Capture might just work Direct Air Capture (DAC) is a method of removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.  The process works by passing atmospheric air through either a liquid, usually an aqueous alkaline solvent, or a solid sorbent filter (imagine a molecular sieve) that removes the CO2 whilst allowing the other chemicals to pass through the filter unaffected. The CO2 is then stored in underground reservoirs…

Top Ten Carbon Capture options - Part Two In the first article I discussed what are probably the more practical of the Top Ten Carbon Capture options.  The following five options are scientifically possible, but converting theory of these five of the Top Ten Carbon Capture options into practice, may not be easy. 6. Biochar Biochar is charcoal that, instead of being burnt as a fuel, is added to soil.…

Top Ten Carbon Capture Options - Part One Global energy-related CO2 emissions flattened in 2019 at around 33 gigatonnes (Gt) (33 billion tonnes).  This figure will be reduced substantially as hydrocarbon fuels are phased out and greater energy efficiency achieved. However, CO2 emissions will not be eliminated completely.  Carbon capture technologies (also known as negative emissions technologies) will be required to remove or sequester the emissions that remain.  This is…

Planting Trees and Net Zero - a Carbon Capture solution? It is generally accepted that it will be impossible to eliminate all greenhouse gas emissions.  Therefore, in order to achieve Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, it is essential that these residual emissions are removed from the atmosphere through some form of Carbon sequestration. This means the physical removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; by trapping and storing…