Feb 2 - Scientist promotes controversial solution to climate change Feb. 11

A world expert in carbon capture and storage will present a controversial solution to climate change next week at Douglas College in a free public lecture.

William Gunter, an international consultant on carbon dioxide capture and geological storage (CCS), will describe the process of capturing CO₂ emissions from cars, fossil fuel power plants and other sources and storing them underground as a way to reduce emissions from entering the atmosphere.

Towards a Healthy Environment Using Coal, Oil and Gas: What are the long-term implications to climate change? takes place Feb. 11, 3-4:30pm, in the Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre at Douglas College.

“A number of industries are producing huge amounts of carbon dioxide and other materials as process gaseous by-products; the gas is currently scrubbed of other dangerous things, but the carbon dioxide just goes right up the stack,” says Randy Alex, a chemistry instructor at Douglas College. “The CCS process is a chance to mitigate a huge increase in carbon dioxide for one, five or perhaps 10 decades.”

Alex says Gunter will also address the controversies surrounding carbon capture.

“There could be some long-term effects of pumping carbon dioxide into the ground. Who’s to know if there’s a fracture down there that could leak carbon dioxide into underground water, into aquifers?  Or if a carbon dioxide leak to the surface might impact wildlife or people?”

Alex says CCS is not a final solution, but a temporary measure  that can be employed until green technologies that can address climate change more permanently are further developed and become more economically feasible.

“There are so many green technologies out there, but the bottom line is very few of them are cost-effective,” says Alex. “Capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide will give us as much as a century’s worth of breathing room.”

The lecture is the second in a four-part series at Douglas College and part of the provincial government’s Year of Science, a program to raise awareness among British Columbians of the importance of science to our health and well being, our lifestyle and our economic future.

“Science is not just about making our lives easier and faster with iPods or BlackBerrys,” says Ida Chong, Minister of Science and Universities. “Science is also about using research to improve the quality of our lives and to change our world for the better.”

Thor Borgford, Dean of Science and Technology at Douglas, says this is a unique opportunity for the public to hear an expert speak on a topical subject. 

“Everybody is, or should be, worried about climate change right now. And I think most people have the sense that we can’t continue to pump carbon dioxide into the atmosphere without some changes.”

Towards a Healthy Environment Using Coal, Oil and Gas: What are the long-term implications to climate change? takes place Friday, Feb. 11, in the Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre, Douglas College, 700 Royal Ave., New Westminster. Lecture 3-4:30pm; Reception 4:30-6pm. Free admission.