Enhancing Carbon Sequestration Strategies for a Sustainable Future and Climate Resilience

As part of international efforts to mitigate the negative effects of high levels of CO₂ in the atmosphere, this process (which may occur naturally or as a result of human intervention) has become more important. Marine, biological and geological systems are the main source of carbon accumulation. Each has its own mechanisms and difficulties. In ocean emissions, oceans absorb CO₂ and either store it as carbon-rich compounds in marine ecosystems or dissolve in seawater. Despite the fact that oceans are the largest natural carbon sinks, this approach raises questions about environmental disruption and acidity. Known as terrestrial carbon sequestration, biological sequestration is the process by which CO₂ is naturally absorbed from the environment by plants, trees, soils, and wetlands. Plants convert CO₂ into organic matter through photosynthesis, which can then be stored as biomass or soil. Forests, grasslands and agricultural systems are essential components of biological emissions, and have great potential for carbon storage. Furthermore, soil management strategies, such as no-farming, agroforestry and reforestation, can increase their potential as carbon sinks. A new area of study in synthetic biology is the development of bioengineering solutions to enhance carbon sequestration, such as genetically enhanced CO₂-absorbing plants or artificial creatures created to capture and store carbon more effectively. Large-scale devices that absorb CO₂ directly from the atmosphere and store it underground or convert it into useful products are known as direct air capture (DAC) technologies, and are also becoming more common. Carbon reduction is promised, but many obstacles still remain to be overcome. These include scalability and technology costs, long-term stored carbon sustainability, and the potential environmental and social impacts of mass segregation measures. In addition, ethical and regulatory concerns arise about ecosystem manipulation and potential unintended consequences.