To the editor: Let's recognize “carbon management” for what it is: a euphemism for the fossil fuel industry to commodify pollution and provide life support to this dirty industry. While urgent action is needed to address the climate emergency, carbon capture is not a real solution. (“Will CO2 storage in old oil fields slow global warming? California's first plan is about to be approved,” January 14)
The process in question requires large amounts of energy and water. The presence of wells and pipelines can cause dangerous and life-threatening leaks. This is especially true of poorly capped oilfield wells that companies like California Resources Corp. want to use as carbon dumps.
Carbon capture and storage projects divert funds from what is really needed: a just transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy like wind and solar.
Instead of marking “a drastic transformation for fossil fuel companies” and communities, as oil industry supporters claim, carbon management is nothing more than corporate greenwashing aimed at keeping these polluting companies in business. .
Victoria Bogdan Tejeda, Oakland
The author is an attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity.
..
To the editor: Let me see if I understand this correctly.
California Resources Corp. wants to use its depleted oil fields to store carbon emissions deep underground. This company polluted California for decades, for profit, and now wants to use the same land that is basically a wasteland of little to no value to store the carbon emissions that resulted from extracting their product in the first place.
The company made incredible amounts of money by extracting fossil fuels that have led to the loss of many lives due to their detrimental effects on the environment. Now you want to be part of the solution by benefiting from the elimination of those same environmental toxins.
I believe California Resources Corp. could pay for this sequestration itself in an attempt to mitigate the horrible effects it has had on the human population over decades. But of course, that would not bring any benefit.
Jonathon Baker, Riverside
..
To the editor: Given that humans emit 40 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide each year, about 27,000 such sites with similar equipment would be needed just to keep pace with global production.
Douglas Chapman, Santa Ana
