Carbon Capture

By: Howard J. Herzog

Narrated by: Al Kessel

The burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide (CO2), and these CO2 emissions are a major driver of climate change. Carbon capture offers a path to climate change mitigation that has received relatively little attention. In this volume in the MIT Press Essential Knowledge series, Howard Herzog offers a concise guide to carbon capture, covering basic information as well as the larger context of climate technology and policy.

Carbon capture, or carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS), refers to a suite of technologies that reduce CO2 emissions by "capturing" CO2 before it is released into the atmosphere and then transporting it to where it will be stored or used. It is the only climate change mitigation technique that deals directly with fossil fuels rather than providing alternatives to them.

Herzog, a pioneer in carbon-capture research, begins by discussing the fundamentals of climate change and how carbon capture can be one of the solutions. He explains capture and storage technologies, including chemical scrubbing and the injection of CO2 deep underground. He reports on current efforts to deploy CCS at factories and power plants and attempts to capture CO2 from the air itself. Finally, he explores the policies and politics in play around CCS and argues for elevating carbon capture in the policy agenda.

©2018 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (P)2019 Gildan Media, LLC

Great Quick Read on the Space

Herding does a good job of meticulously breaking down every segment of the Carbon Capture space as well as wrestle with larger themes shaped by it. He occasionally opines on the situation, which is actually appreciated as it demonstrates his views as well as his passion in the space.

5-star Science Reader Book

Good narration and great organization

Herzog wrote this like he wanted Engineers to understand and evaluate an array of alternatives. I have worked in enhanced oil recovery, he covers the details pretty well.

This is written by a technical person, not a polemicist journalist pretending to be scientist / engineer. This is is great.