Can we sweep carbon dioxide under the rug?

Exploring realistic and sustainable CO₂ storage solution?

In the battle against climate change, we must reduce carbon dioxide emissions via new technologies as well as actively catch and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and industrial processes. This will require innovative thinking. Some believe in capturing carbon dioxide in increased biomass or via common minerals. There have also been exciting, advanced technology-based ideas, such as artificial photosynthesis using nanotechnology. One of the leading ideas is large scale capturing and safely storing underground. This could become a lucrative business for a country as Norway. However, even experts disagree on which path is realistic and effective. How is the average person supposed to understand what is the best way, what is economically viable, and what are just fantasies or greenwashing? Can you?

Relevant competency

Contributing to solving a societal and technological issue of this scale and complexity requires collaboration across multiple disciplines. Students from all academic backgrounds, including non-technical ones, are welcome in the village. Groups with diverse backgrounds will be best equipped to carry out balanced analyses and arrive at new, exciting insights and proposals for the way forward. Open for interdisciplinary work and basic knowledge in chemistry, physics, or applied technology is a good starting point. The village includes introductory and guest lectures. No specific prior knowledge of carbon capture is required.

About the village

In this EiT village, you, as part of a small group, will take a closer look at the details of a self-chosen proposal for actively store CO₂. Based on the group’s interdisciplinary competencies, claims, figures, and ideas will be analyzed. We aim to create an overview and contribute to an important debate. Emphasis will be placed on finding accurate and verifying information on the topic. Students must be open to new ideas and contributions from others. Critical thinking and the use of the group’s interdisciplinary background are essential to identify possible breakthroughs. Collaboration with external actors is possible. The final product may be a technical report or a collection of materials for knowledge dissemination on how we could reduce excess carbon dioxide in a safe and profitable way.

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