World Scientists Warn: Removing CO2 from Atmosphere Crucial to Avoid Catastrophic Tipping Points
The world's leading scientists have sounded the alarm on the urgent need to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. According to Johan Rockström, a chief scientific adviser to the UN and the Cop30 presidency, even if we manage to limit global heating to 1.7C (3.1F) above pre-industrial levels, it will still require an unprecedented 10 billion tonnes of CO2 removal every year.
This daunting task is estimated to cost trillions of dollars annually, rivaling the size of the world's second-largest industry after oil and gas. The method of choice for carbon capture is direct air capture, which has never been used at scale due to its exorbitant price tag – over $200 per tonne.
Growing forests remains the most effective and cheapest option, but it takes a significant hit on land use, potentially hindering agriculture and other vital activities. Rockström emphasizes that we are running out of time and warns that every tenth of a degree in heating is critical to preventing catastrophic tipping points.
Scientists have identified multiple tipping points that could be triggered by human actions, including the collapse of ocean currents, which would trigger devastating climate change consequences. One such point was already breached temporarily in 2024 and will likely be confirmed if trends continue over the next decade.
The stakes are high: if we fail to prevent these tipping points, the world may face extreme droughts, firestorms, and suffering. However, even without the US, which has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement under President Trump, momentum for decarbonization is building and seems unstoppable.
With Cop30 presidency taking steps to focus on carbon removal risks, a glimmer of hope emerges that the conference might be its own tipping point. The absence of the US has been seen as a blessing in disguise by climate advocates, who now see the world moving ahead without the country's obstructionist stance.
The world's leading scientists have sounded the alarm on the urgent need to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. According to Johan Rockström, a chief scientific adviser to the UN and the Cop30 presidency, even if we manage to limit global heating to 1.7C (3.1F) above pre-industrial levels, it will still require an unprecedented 10 billion tonnes of CO2 removal every year.
This daunting task is estimated to cost trillions of dollars annually, rivaling the size of the world's second-largest industry after oil and gas. The method of choice for carbon capture is direct air capture, which has never been used at scale due to its exorbitant price tag – over $200 per tonne.
Growing forests remains the most effective and cheapest option, but it takes a significant hit on land use, potentially hindering agriculture and other vital activities. Rockström emphasizes that we are running out of time and warns that every tenth of a degree in heating is critical to preventing catastrophic tipping points.
Scientists have identified multiple tipping points that could be triggered by human actions, including the collapse of ocean currents, which would trigger devastating climate change consequences. One such point was already breached temporarily in 2024 and will likely be confirmed if trends continue over the next decade.
The stakes are high: if we fail to prevent these tipping points, the world may face extreme droughts, firestorms, and suffering. However, even without the US, which has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement under President Trump, momentum for decarbonization is building and seems unstoppable.
With Cop30 presidency taking steps to focus on carbon removal risks, a glimmer of hope emerges that the conference might be its own tipping point. The absence of the US has been seen as a blessing in disguise by climate advocates, who now see the world moving ahead without the country's obstructionist stance.
I'm getting really worried about this whole CO2 removal thing... like we're talking billions of dollars and 10 billion tonnes every year - it's mental! 
But at the same time, I feel kinda hopeful that countries are finally coming together on this one. I mean, no more Trump's nonsense holding things back, right? 
And if they can get this carbon removal thing sorted, maybe we'll actually be able to avoid those catastrophic tipping points... like ocean currents collapsing or whatever 
. Growing forests is the way to go, but it's just not a scalable solution for everyone - I don't want to see people struggling just to eat food and grow crops 
. It's gonna take some serious effort and investment, but if we all chip in (pun intended), maybe we can make this happen! 
I'm getting super anxious about this whole CO2 removal thing 
and it's gonna cost trillions 
but is it worth it? 
We can't afford not to try 
Growing forests is our best shot at removing CO2 from the atmosphere 
but we gotta be careful with land use 
It's all about finding that balance 
Every 10C rise in temps is critical, like we're talking catastrophic tipping points 
Here's hoping COP30 can make a real difference 
. Growing forests is a good idea, but we should probs explore other options like big ocean cleanup or more efficient industries too 
. I'm all for trying new things and getting creative, 'cause if the world's gonna change, it's gotta be in a way that works for everyone 
I mean, I get it, we gotta save the planet and all, but this sounds like a super daunting task. What if we can't afford it? 
! We're gonna have to get creative (and rich) with this one 
. I mean, I know growing forests is the cheapest option and all that jazz 
.
. But you know what? The US might've withdrawn from the Paris Agreement, but it's also taken away a major roadblock (unfortunately 
). Maybe, just maybe, this is our chance to make some serious progress on carbon removal 
️.
but seriously, what's the plan here? are we gonna start planting like a gazillion trees overnight or something 
i'm all for finding solutions, but this has to be more cost-effective than just letting the forests do their thing. i'm not saying the forests aren't our best bet, but we need some solid tech to back it up 
what if it's not just about money tho? what if it's about us realizing how much we've messed up and actually doing something about it 
I'm both optimistic and pessimistic about this - on one hand, momentum for decarbonization seems unstoppable, but on another hand, the stakes are ridiculously high if we fail to prevent catastrophic tipping points 
... remember when we were all thinkin' "climate change" was just some science-y stuff? Nowadays it's like, "CO2 removal, catastrophe tipping points"... sounds like somethin' outta a movie 
? It's like, we're tryin' to save the planet, but at what cost?
.
it's like we're playing a game where one wrong move could lead to extreme weather conditions and sea level rise... but at least there's momentum building worldwide 
but nope, it's real. over $200 per tonne is just insane 
can't we just grow some more forests or something?! 
but seriously, it's gonna cost trillions of dollars, rivaling oil and gas, which is insane 
.
. maybe it'll be its own tipping point 
. direct air capture might seem like a viable option but the cost is just too steep 