One proposed solution for the interrelated problems of energy supply, carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and waste disposal is for power stations that burn fossil fuels to remove and sequester CO2 from their waste flue gases (17 February, p 9).
Never have I seen it proposed that if power stations were to be fuelled using materials directly or indirectly taken from recent plant growth, the sequestration of the waste CO2 would reduce the amount of the gas in the atmosphere because it would take what the plants had absorbed out of the natural carbon cycle. Fuels could include plant biomass grown for fuel, the residue from the production of liquid biofuels for internal combustion engines, the compostable waste that we now bin separately, and even treated sewage sludge.
In one hit we should get energy, removal of CO2 from the atmosphere and easy waste disposal. What have I ...
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