Carbon Sequestration in the Deep Sea: Navigating the Knowns and Unknowns

November 13, 2007

The ocean plays a key role in regulating the Earth's climate by exchanging vast quantities of heat and carbon dioxide with the atmosphere every day. To help curb global warming, efforts are under consideration to artificially enhance the ocean's capacity to absorb excess carbon dioxide, thus reducing carbon concentrations in the atmosphere. However, a scientific understanding of these processes - including their effectiveness and ecological impacts - is still developing.

Our speakers will examine the feasibility, efficacy and potential side effects of storing carbon in the deep sea, through methods such as iron fertilization and direct deposition.

Drs. Buesseler and Barry will present the conclusions from a recent Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution symposium; focusing on the science of iron fertilization, as well as the ecological effects of direct carbon dioxide injection into the sea.  They will address the broader issue of ocean acidification, which results from adding carbon dioxide to the ocean.  Understanding how these phenomena interact is crucial to developing appropriate policies to manage the ocean resources that many communities depend upon.

We hope you will join us for an engaging presentation and discussion on this timely topic. Lunch will be served.

Please RSVP to events@compassonline.org no later than November 7th, 2007, as space is limited.

COMPASS is not a registered lobbyist, nor does it retain or employ registered lobbyists. This event is valued at less than $50 per person and meets the standards for the House Gift Rule.