2041 | Do we need an energy transition?
Last time I said that we need to fight for the transition to less carbon-intensive forms of energy to ensure that future generations can experience Antarctica as it stands in its magnificence today. So, what exactly is the problem with excess carbon in the atmosphere?
Carbon and carbon dioxide (CO2) have been continuously exchanged between the oceans, atmosphere, geosphere (rock and fossil fuels underground) and biosphere (farmland, forests, wildlife) before human intervention, and an equilibrium was achieved so the levels in each sphere stays roughly constant. But, humans have taken large amounts carbon in the geosphere, in the form of fossil fuels, and dispersed it, via the carbon cycle, into the atmosphere, oceans and biosphere as CO2.
Reducing our continued emissions is crucial, but excess CO2 will remain in the carbon cycle. Afforestation is hugely important, but the permanence of removed CO2 in the biosphere cannot be guaranteed and the growing incidence of wildfires, floods, and deforestation releasing captured CO2 is not helping. Likewise, reducing methane levels, due to its potency (approx. 28 times more potent than CO2) gives short term respite of global heating, but has a mean life of around 12 years. CO2 lasts much longer, around 300-1,000 years, and cumulative CO2 levels will determine peak warming and the long-term impacts on extreme weather events, hence the importance of carbon removal.
The natural mechanism for restoring carbon back to the geosphere is through sediment formation which takes around 100,000 years. We don’t have that long. We need man-made solutions, such as direct air capture, deep geological storage or innovative new products that use or capture CO2 more permanently, to return cumulative CO2 to levels that reduce the likelihood of extreme climate events.
The privilege of travel
Experiencing Antarctica has connected me with the vast expanse of nature and I, like many others on the expedition, have fallen in love with the continent. I want to do everything in my power to protect it. Despite joining the 2041 mission to learn and spread the message about Antarctica, I was also conflicted by the idea of participating in an expedition knowing the detrimental effects of visiting such a continent. Each year over 75,000 tourists visit Antarctica without perhaps fully appreciating the impact of its destruction in a changing climate and without aiming to relay the importance of protecting it to their communities.
The 2041 Foundation is trying to address this – both through Robert’s dedication to the preservation of Antarctica and sharing his knowledge of climate change and sustainability – but also in setting a better standard for sustainable travel.
The ship we took, Ocean Victory, while still utilising fossil fuels, is 60% more efficient than similar sized boats. Its unusual design with an X-bow splits the waves distributing the force more evenly over the bow surface, and there is a direct drive for the propellers from electric motors with diesel engines for battery regeneration and for providing base load. Gases run through dedicated nitrous oxide filters separating and storing the exhaust streams.
The expedition committed to being carbon negative by cleaning up more than two times its emitted carbon through a diverse range of global projects. The total CO2 usage of CFA22 was 252 tons or approximately ~1.45 tons per individual. In total 513 tons of CO2 were removed from the atmosphere and 524 tons through clean energy projects such as Tomorrow’s Air in partnership with Climeworks for direct air carbon capture and deep storage, and Jane Goodall Roots & Shoots enabling reforestation around Kilimanjaro for future emissions.
ClimateForce is the co-creator of the Polar Carbon Negative Initiative with the goal of establishing a set of CO2 standard protocols for the global travel industry to adhere to when embarking on sea expeditions to the Antarctic and Arctic regions with the aim that in future every voyage will be carbon negative.
The one certainty I take from this experience, is that the story and knowledge I have been privileged enough to gain will be used in a life-long journey to help motivate and find further solutions to protect Antarctica.