Reforestation, Afforestation, and Power Density can Aid the Abatement of Climate Change

Keywords: Climate Change, Sequestration, Energy Density
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Tuesday
Session Start / End Time: 3/1/2022 09:40 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 3/1/2022 11:00 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 34

Abstract

Climate change has the potential to change our environment drastically. One major contributor is the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide accumulation has been aided by continued deforestation around the globe. This research discusses the drive to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and lower carbon dioxide emission. Reforestation and afforestation are leading ideas for removal of atmospheric carbon dioxide, as temperate forests are the single largest natural carbon sequestering entity available. Geographic Information Systems were used with the United States Geological Survey’s land use data and the United States Energy Information Administration’s energy production maps to determine where and how many temperate forest trees could be planted in an attempt to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Wind turbines and solar panels have been leading the surge to lower emissions. However; these low density power sources are notably difficult and expensive to recycle at the end of their life-cycle. With continued advancements in carbon capture technology and nuclear energy production, considerably lower carbon emissions can be seen from more dense power sources than wind and solar. By using more dense power production, when wind turbine and solar power plants are decommissioned at the end of their life-cycles they can give way to reforestation and afforestation. Reforestation of historically forested areas in the United States can theoretically remove approximately 10 percent of current carbon dioxide emissions of the United States. Adding in the land from decommissioned low density power plants could potentially double this carbon dioxide reduction.