Carbon Dioxide Removal

3 credits

Despite efforts to reduce emissions and decarbonize the economy, global actions have not been fast enough to avoid global warming levels deemed unsafe and unacceptable by international agreements. Therefore, all the best remaining options to address climate change include carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies to extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and durably store it in geological, terrestrial, or ocean reservoirs, or in manufactured products. This course will introduce students to the current landscape of CDR technologies, including land- and ocean-based removal processes and direct air capture, and provide students with the scientific and technical foundation to evaluate the benefits, risks, and tradeoffs of these technologies. Students will develop technical skills needed to assess CDR impacts on the carbon cycle through quantitative problem-solving exercises and interpretation of the primary literature. Students will also practice written and oral communication skills needed to engage with a wide range of stakeholders responsible for development, implementation, and regulation of CDR technologies.