Natural carbon removal as technology

Bibliographic Data

ID12929527
AuthorsNils Markusson (0000-0002-7087-4905, Lancaster University, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume13
Issue2
Publication date2022-02-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueWiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Climate Change (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1757-7780 • E-ISSN: 1757-7799
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/wcc.767
OpenAlexW4210620327
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited13

Lay people tend to prefer natural solutions for carbon removal over technological ones. Researchers have argued that all carbon removal methods can be seen as “natural.” Here I argue that it is also in practice necessary to see all carbon removal methods as “technological,” that is, standardized, engineered, machine‐like, enclosed systems. Natural carbon removal methods are complex socio‐natural‐technical messy systems that interact in complex ways with their environments. But to work well in practice as an option in climate policy—including in any emissions trading or offsetting schemes—they simultaneously need to be framed in much narrower terms, to be accountable (modellable, tradeable). And there will be efforts to not just frame, but physically make natural carbon removal as standardized, engineered, machine‐like and enclosed as possible—although doomed to never be fully successful. It is in these senses that all carbon removal is technological. The ambiguity between an often vague framing as natural, a narrowly technological framing, and a wider socio‐natural‐technical framing, matters for public understanding and acceptance. Would lay publics still prefer natural solutions to carbon removal, if they are informed about the inevitable technological framing and shaping of them? Research is needed about this. It also matters for the risk of mitigation deterrence. Previous research shows that the narrow framing, of carbon removal methods as technology is implicated in societal processes that deter efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This article is categorized under: Social Status of Climate Change Knowledge > Knowledge and Practice Social Status of Climate Change Knowledge > Sociology/Anthropology of Climate Knowledge Climate, History, Society, Culture > Technological Aspects and Ideas

Ambiguity · Civil engineering · Climate change · Environmental ethics · Framing (construction · Greenhouse gas · Political science · Climate Change, Adaptation, Migration · Computer Science · Engineering · Social Acceptance of Renewable Energy · Sustainability and Climate Change Governance · Ecology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access