Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Stephanie Arcusa @sarcusa.bsky.social · 2d

@worldfuturecouncil.org @longnow.org @cser.bsky.social @coenergyoffice.bsky.social @microsoft.com #FutureGenerations #Carbonremoval

Stephanie Arcusa @sarcusa.bsky.social · 2d

Our conclusion: Societies may decide not to incorporate these principles into their policies. Current state of affairs which allows for short-term storage that is orphaned within decades implicitly has abandoned intergenerational equity at least in the context of climate change and its consequences.

1

Stephanie Arcusa @sarcusa.bsky.social · 2d

None of this is against short-term storage. Short-term storage can certainly be certified as storing C, but it needs to be understood that it does not eliminate the climate impact of a C emission, it delays it. Short-term storage may still be useful if followed by subsequent storage. buff.ly/jQLZbFR

Geological Net Zero and the need for disaggregated accounting for carbon sinks - Nature

Including passive CO2 uptake as an anthropogenic removal in greenhouse gas accounting systems could undermine the Paris Agreement; measures to address this include acknowledging the need for…

www.nature.com

1

Stephanie Arcusa @sarcusa.bsky.social · 2d

Beneficiaries: current generation, fossil fuel industry, users, and managers of short-term storage. Losers: future generation, competitors to fossil fuels and managers of long-term reservoirs. Payers: all of us or the fossil industry? Deciders: standardization cycle and advocates for the future.

1

Stephanie Arcusa @sarcusa.bsky.social · 2d

The lack of standards that embrace such long timescales raises the question of what are the obstacles and how could they be overcome. We look at who benefits and loses from temporary storage, who pays and who decides.

1

Stephanie Arcusa @sarcusa.bsky.social · 2d

What we really contribute is the articulation of why this matters and to us it boils down to (1) intergenerational equity and (2) the polluter-pays principle. A world that commits to these two principles into the distant future must assure that excess C is stored for climate-relevant timescales.

1

Stephanie Arcusa @sarcusa.bsky.social · 2d

We consider the climate commitment of excess C, including C released from storage, and repeat the observation made by many that societies will have to decide whether they accept responsibility for the impact on people and the environment, across social groups, geographic regions, and generations.

1

Stephanie Arcusa @sarcusa.bsky.social · 2d

Note: this is not a dig at Microsoft or Stripe. They are currently one of the largest purchasers of carbon sequestration. Besides, it is hard to tell volunteers they are not doing enough. Permanence defined on climate-relevant timescales is better suited for regulation and compliance regimes.

1

Stephanie Arcusa @sarcusa.bsky.social · 2d

For example, Microsoft and Stripe received proposals for carbon sequestration totaling 142 million tons in 2020 and 2021. Tallying the length of time indicated by each proposal for how long the operator would look after the storage reveals how quickly the carbon would be orphaned: 50% in 30 years.

1

Stephanie Arcusa @sarcusa.bsky.social · 2d

We also review a handful of entities for their definition of permanence. FYI this paper goes much more in depth on standards: buff.ly/nDKXj5e We find a large gap between science and standards.

Definitions and mechanisms for managing durability and reversals in standards and procurers of carbon dioxide removal - Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change

Carbon markets are expanding to include various forms of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR). Standards used in the certification of CDR must define the durability of removals and implement mechanisms to…

buff.ly

1

Stephanie Arcusa @sarcusa.bsky.social · 2d

Science tells us (1) excess CO2 is the primary cause of climate change and (2) excess C is a millennial problem. The timescale is at a min several thousand years if we only worry about excess CO2 in the atmosphere and >>10,000 years if we include excess C in the ocean-biosphere-atmosphere system.

1 1

Stephanie Arcusa @sarcusa.bsky.social · 2d

I am pleased to share the publication of my newest paper with Dr. Lackner. All carbon sequestration has durability, a storage duration that varies by storage type. There is also a social decision for permanence, or how long is long enough. We explore why it matters and what it means buff.ly/UCoRzSd

Carbon sequestration ought to be permanent on climate-relevant timescales

Markets for durable carbon removal credits are expanding despite conflicting rules and standards. A major unresolved issue surrounds the permanence of…

buff.ly

1 1 2

Stephanie Arcusa @sarcusa.bsky.social · Apr 15

As the world grapples with a range of environmental challenges, the intersection of energy and carbon is more important than ever. I’m honored to be joining an incredible lineup of experts at EarthX2025 Conference of Conferences to discuss innovative solutions. Join us! #EarthX2025 #ClimateAction

1

Stephanie Arcusa @sarcusa.bsky.social · Apr 12

I’m excited to join EarthX2025 Congress of Conferences hosted by @EarthXorg! April 21-25 in Dallas, we’ll tackle key challenges and opportunities in conservation, energy, and environmental policy. #EarthX2025