Carbon sinks are natural or artificial reservoirs that absorb carbon from the atmosphere and contribute to reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the air. Oceans and forests represent natural sinks since they are responsible for extracting CO2 from the atmosphere through natural or biological processes. Oceans are considered the main natural carbon sinks since they are capable of absorbing around 50% of the carbon emitted into the atmosphere. Specifically, plankton, corals, fish, algae, and other photosynthetic bacteria are the organisms responsible for this capture. In the case of forests and other wooded areas, carbon sequestration is carried out through photosynthesis. Plant species absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, store a portion of the carbon, and return oxygen to the atmosphere. The problem with natural carbon sinks is that they have a limit, causing ocean acidification when it is exceeded. To support and accelerate the natural process of carbon sequestration, there are artificial techniques that allow carbon to be extracted from the atmosphere and stored in the Earth's crust. However, these technologies have not yet achieved the necessary efficiency or maturity. necessary to face the radical changes demanded by climate change, even leading to carbon leaks in the most critical cases. In conclusion, carbon sinks represent an important help in slowing climate change but do not solve it; abandoning dependence on fossil fuels and making a firm commitment to renewable energies is essential.
En la lucha contra el cambio climático, la propia naturaleza tiene sus armas para intentar que la temperatura media del planeta no siga aumentando. Los sumideros de carbono son depósitos naturales (océanos y bosques) y artificiales (ciertas tecnologías y productos químicos) que absorben y capturan el dióxido de carbono (CO2) de la atmósfera reduciendo así su concentración en el aire. Los sumideros de carbono representan una ayuda importante para frenar el cambio climático pero no lo solucionan. Es imprescindible el abandono de la dependencia de los combustibles fósiles y la apuesta firme por las energías renovables. Más información: http://www.sostenibilidad.com/cambio-climatico/sumideros-carbono-que-son/ Suscríbete: https://www.youtube.com/user/interacciona1?sub_confirmation=1 Web: http://www.acciona.com/es/ -Redes Sociales- Twitter: https://twitter.com/acciona Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/acciona LinkedIn: http://acciona.sa/YsSOM Google +: http://acciona.sa/YsT2G Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acciona/