Three Definitions of “Direct Air Capture”

Three Definitions of “Direct Air Capture”

Assignment Introduction

This assignment is to write three types of definitions of a relatively complex term, which are parenthetical, sentence, and expand, respectively. Definitions play an essential role in explaining the situation to the audience. And after this assignment, it is easy to distinguish between three definitions and consider which is more appropriate for viewers in various situations.

Reading Situation

A direct air capture technician is explaining the term “direct air capture” to investors who care about climate change.

Parenthetical Definition

As decreasing emissions alone will not be enough to stop global warming, direct air capture (a technology to achieve negative emissions) has attracted interest across the world.

Sentence Definition

Direct air capture technologies extract CO2 directly from the atmosphere using clean energy.

Expand Definition

Direct air capture technologies (DAC) extract CO2 directly from the atmosphere using clean energy and handle it in clean ways without releasing CO2.

What is the history of DAC?

The first capturing CO2 technologies were developed in the 1930s and applied in closed life-support systems like submarines and space stations (Bipartisan Policy Center).

How does it work?

Modern versions of DAC combine mechanical systems and chemical processes, including fans to move large volumes of air and liquid or solid sorbents to capture CO2 (Exhibit 1). The air-captured carbon dioxide is then either returned and stored to the earth safely or upcycled into climate-friendly products such as carbon-neutral fuels and materials, fertilizer, or bubbles in fizzy drinks (Climate-Kic).

Why DAC?

Direct air capture has the potential to help achieve international climate targets and meet the Net Zero Emissions by 2050. However, due to the amount of CO2 that needs to be absorbed, DAC will only become climate-relevant if they rapidly reach the gigaton scale before 2050 (Beuttler et al).  Therefore, both governments and private investors should direct their funds toward this new technology in order to allow its growth.

Exhibit 1: Carbon direct air removal technology

Source: CB Insights (2021)

Reference

Beuttler, C. et al. “The Role of Direct Air Capture in Mitigation of Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gas Emissions.” Frontiers in Climate, 2019,  Jan 21, 2022,  https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2019.00010/full

Bipartisan Policy Center. “The Commercial Case for Direct Air Capture. “, Bipartisan Policy Center, 2021, Jan 21, 2022,  https://bipartisanpolicy.org/download/?file=/wpcontent/ uploads/ 2021 /02 / BPC_BusinessForDac2021-Final.pdf

Climate-KIC. “Climeworks added to Microsoft’s climate portfolio.”, Climate-KIC, 2021, Jan 21, 2022,                                https://www.climate-kic.org/news/climeworks-added-to-microsofts-climate-portfolio/