Carbon management is rooted in climate science. The science behind carbon management revolves around understanding the role of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the Earth’s atmosphere and their impact on the climate system. The following are key principles:

1. Greenhouse Effect: Certain gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, act as greenhouse gases. These gases trap heat from the sun, creating a natural greenhouse effect that warms the planet and makes it habitable for life.

2. Enhanced Greenhouse Effect: Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), deforestation, industrial processes, and agriculture, have significantly increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This enhanced greenhouse effect intensifies the trapping of heat, leading to global warming and climate change.

3. Climate Change Impacts: The accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has led to various climate change impacts, including rising temperatures, melting glaciers and ice caps, sea level rise, more frequent and intense extreme weather events (such as hurricanes, heatwaves, and droughts), disruptions to ecosystems and biodiversity, and shifts in precipitation patterns.

4. Carbon Cycle: Carbon is continually cycled through the Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, land, and living organisms in what is known as the carbon cycle. Human activities disrupt this natural cycle by releasing additional carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels and land-use changes.

The need to manage carbon arises from the recognition of the adverse effects of increasing greenhouse gas emissions on the Earth’s climate and ecosystems. Several key triggers have catalyzed efforts to address carbon emissions:

1. Scientific Research: Advances in climate science have provided increasingly clear evidence of human-induced climate change and its potential consequences. Scientific assessments, such as those by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), have underscored the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming and mitigate climate risks.

2. Policy Responses: International agreements, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, have set targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate climate change. Many countries have implemented policies and regulations to curb emissions, promote renewable energy, and transition to low-carbon technologies.

3. Corporate Responsibility: Businesses and industries recognize the importance of addressing climate change risks to their operations, supply chains, and reputations. Many companies are adopting carbon management strategies to reduce their carbon footprint, improve energy efficiency, and demonstrate environmental stewardship to stakeholders.

4. Public Awareness and Pressure: Increasing public awareness of climate change and environmental issues has driven demand for action from governments, businesses, and organizations. Consumers, investors, and communities are increasingly holding companies accountable for their environmental impact and demanding transparency and sustainability in business practices.

In summary, the science behind carbon management is grounded in our understanding of the greenhouse effect, climate change impacts, and the carbon cycle. The need to manage carbon arises from the urgent imperative to mitigate climate change, driven by scientific research, policy responses, corporate responsibility, and public awareness.