CO2 Question

[cpvarley]

Okay so I have been thinking. All the commentary on global climate change that I have been hearing is talking about reducing green house gases C02, NO, and Methane. I am not going to say hey we should stop reducing those emissions. Scientific studies have been done showing that there is some level of impact.
The only thing that I am wondering is there a potential for us to grow ourselves part way out of the problem. We have harnessed plant genetics to have crops grow faster in a shorter period of time, adapt to dry or wet conditions, and to be resistant to a lot of forms of diseases and pests. A lot of research has gone into the finding the best production crops for providing starch, protein, oil, sugars, and more. Why can't we look at plantings that agressively use CO2 in their growing cycle? Granted there are things you have to look at as far as CO2 being rereleased either because the plant dies and decomposes or it is consumed by an animal.
I would still think you could look at trees, grasses, flowers, even the more molecule with algea and planktin to find something or a combination of things that would be an agressive user of CO2. I know temperature is an issue in relation to the amount of CO2 consumed. But I like the idea of industrial plants piping through tunnels to allow for thermal exchange with the soil or rock and pumping into one of the greenest fields or forests you have seen verses building the exhauste stacks higher so that everything goes straight into the upper atmosphere.

And maybe I am naive as hell. :unsure:

 

[herbicide]

Another thing to consider is if science can unlock the workings of chlorophyll, and artificially create the reaction, then use it to directly make sugars. That would translate into truly "green" energy, as ethanol could be made without any crops.

BTW, I never hear this talked about. Don't know why.

 

[Clonehomer]

To answer the first question. Money. Other than government grants how is this research going to be funded? No one makes a profit from CO2 being reduced. That's what drives industry, thus that's what drives research dollars.

 

[Flag Guy]

herbicide you beat me to it.


Wouldn't it be sweet to have your apple trees growing apple wine? :yes:


Ok so kidding there but.. that is an interesting point.... but photosynthesis breaks down CO2 and releases oxygen into the air, where as in making ethonal you're locking in those building blocks into a different configuration. Not to mention the thermodynamics of it all.... though with the proper catalyst and sunlight for engergy, who knows?

Storage would be a different issue... unless maybe you made a cactus that worked in reverse - aka stored the alcohol as opposed to storing water from the ground

or it could synthesis alcohol in place of oxygen... have it release ethonal into the air - it would give a whole new meaning to the term "Beer Garden" :biggrin:


I don't have much insight, random rambling out of my methane factory on this one here... cool idea but dunno

 

[Flag Guy]

Getting back on topic, I think they've looked at sea weed for that purpose (grows very quickly, stores carbon, etc), but yeah money is an issue. Find better uses or get it's use to grow, it'll probally help spur sea weed farms

 

[Psyclone]

I thought you were about to uncover my big secret. If you lift the hood on my car you will find a garden growing along side some production machinery to harvest the power.

 

[cpvarley]

Getting back on topic, I think they've looked at sea weed for that purpose (grows very quickly, stores carbon, etc), but yeah money is an issue. Find better uses or get it's use to grow, it'll probally help spur sea weed farms

So if the carbon offset programs that these "green" companies are pushing were to focus on efficiency of compensating for carbon created they should be focusing on Kelp farms verses buy rainforest acres or planting trees. I mean don't get me wrong I understand the trees are more photogenic. :jiggy:

 

[Phaedrus]

Well, my car is solar-powered. You see, algae absorbed the sun, then died, then was buried underground and cooked for umpteen million years and came back as something we call "oil". Then, the good people at the oil company turned it into something we call "gasoline". Then, I pump this "gasoline" into my car, which is then burned to make the car go fast.

See??? My car is 100% solar powered.....

 

[Cyclonepride]

No one makes a profit from CO2 being reduced.

Au contraire mon frair, there is big money to be made. By the government, by companies who find themselves on the "right" side of the issue and many others.

The major impetus behind the recent push has been companies switching sides as they realize that the political wind is blowing that way, and, to quote the venerable Bobby Knight, "If rape is inevitable, why not lay back and enjoy it?" They can also reap benefits from tax breaks and government handouts to "update" their equipment, not to mention the green light to pass on the extra costs to consumers in the name of the common good. Large companies may also see an additional benefit in the elimination of smaller competition who cannot afford to absorb the costs of their carbon credits.

But I'm quite sure that it's all done in good spirit.:skeptical:

Edit: Technically, your statement is correct, as the European system is currently increasing carbon output while killing their economy.