Is there anyway to remove large quantities of the Co2 from the atmosphere, or neutralize it?

Question

I'm thinking some kind of chemical chain reaction that would either change the chemical nature of the CO2 to something inert, or perhaps bind to it to make it heavier, so it would descend...

Ok thank you for the responses. Of course I know Co2 is an inert gas - my mistake. I meant a way to convert it to a non-greenhouse gas state, not to an inert state. Also, I mean a solution other than trees! Or course Plan A should be to stop the destruction of the rain forests in Brazil and replace any logged trees with 3 new ones but it won't happen anytime soon - too much money to be made on cleared land and by selling lumber (and don't get me going on the government subsidies for loggers and how they give the land away for free to log). I was thinking of something in addition to trees, to kick-start the process and undo or neutralize some of the huge amount of excess C02 we've pumped out there...

Answer 1

Not yet. But people are trying hard. If they succeed it's worth $US 25 million, at the very least.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6345557.stm

Answer 2

TREES TREES TREES! Trees are known as a carbon sink - in short, meaning they are one of the best resovoirs on Earth for carbon dioxide. The TDSB is planning to launch a project planting approx 6 million trees in the Greater Toronto Area. As for newer solutions, if someone can find one, that would be great. However, there are a lot of factors to consider when thinking of such a solution (e.g. a chemical chain reaction) such as other, less positive effects a possible solution may have on the environment. **Not to mention cost! The atmopshere is bigger than you think, and the negative aspects of creating a chemical chain reaction of a scale that large may severely outweigh the positive effects.

Answer 3

This is way off base and partly from outer space, but if you could isolate and pump CO2 into the H2O in the ocean some of it might react to form H202 (heavy water) and the carbon might possibly sink to the bottom where it could turn to oil in a few million years. How's that for thinking like a clockwork orange?

Answer 4

Heinz put it rather well. Trees, (and other plants) "breathe" in carbon dioxide, use it as part of its growth process, and returns oxygen to the atmosphere.

If your comminity does not have any tree preservation laws, you may consider joining or starting a campaign to start some. Meanwhile, plant trees and encourage others to do that and prevent large scale removal of trees to make room for development.

Answer 5

Carbon Dioxide is inert. and less than 3% of our atmosphere. The chemical chain reaction you are looking for is photosynthesis. Every green plant on earth is sucking up the CO2 and emitting oxygen...CO2 is not a factor in anything else except putting bubbles in your Pepsi. No threat there. Rosie O'Donnels noxious breath is more of a danger to mankind. Let's all just pick up litter instead of listening to the fear mongers.

Answer 6

Yes, but it may take a bit of time. You want to reduce the amount of free co2 in our atmosphere and create more oxygen.

Plants produce co2 at night and produce oxygen and co2 under the sun.
http://water.me.vccs.edu/concepts/oxycycle.html



Well let's stop de-forestation.

Answer 7

good question. I observed a 20/20 specific on earth Day approximately international warming. One good subject is that Richard Branson, CEO of Virgin documents, is offering vast greenbacks (billions, i think of,) for all of us that can layout and enforce a gadget to do away with pollution from the air. desire somebody comes up with some thing large!! it particularly is extremely evident to me that our united states of america's modern-day administration does no longer properly known any environmental matters.

Answer 8

My best idea would be to plant more trees because trees breathe in co2 right?

Answer 9

Large quantities of CO2 are removed all the time.. it's part of what causes plants to grow.

Answer 10

Plant trees. And it is already rather inert. ~