Definition
Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) refers to the removal of CO₂ from the Earth’s atmosphere. CDR is different from reducing emissions at the source. It removes carbon dioxide already present in the atmosphere and stores it durably.
Context
Why is carbon dioxide removal important, but also a controversial topic? It cannot be chosen as an either/or option alongside the reduction of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. The emissions of greenhouse gases have to be reduced sufficiently quickly; that is the basic requirement. CDR is important and should be prepared and researched, but reducing greenhouse gases is the top priority.
How Podcasts Discuss Carbon Dioxide Removal
Several podcasts on climate change, climate innovation, and earth science discuss the topic of CDR. AudioTyped has compiled a selection for you here.
The COPOut Podcast
When David Ho was asked by podcast host Dana R. Fisher whether carbon removal is sufficient, he replied, among other things:
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David Ho:
… And that’s actually the point of this piece that I wrote in Nature is that as long as we’re still emitting more than 40 billion tons of CO₂ into the atmosphere every year, you know, no amount of carbon dioxide removal is going to help us at all. …
– Source: The COPOut Podcast S01-E04 “COPOut Episode 4: On Measurement and Attribution” [23:22]
This means that reducing greenhouse gases to a sufficiently low level is an absolute priority; there is no way around it. Because if harmful greenhouse gases continue to be emitted at such a rate, even the best solution for carbon dioxide removal will be useless.
The Great Simplification Podcast
Kelly Erhart also sees reducing emissions as a priority goal, as she explained in an episode of The Great Simplification podcast.
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Kelly Erhart:
… I think the, primary objective is we need to reduce emissions, right? And, do large scale carbon dioxide removal and scale adaptation. …
– Source: The Great Simplification Episode 204 “Fighting for a Livable Future: Exploring Frontier Climate Interventions with Kelly Erhart” [50:33]