The main cause of climate change is the emission into the atmosphere of carbon dioxide (CO2), a gas that is released by the burning of fossil fuels such as oil and coal. To reduce these emissions and slow climate change, some scientists have developed a technology called carbon capture and storage, in which CO2 is extracted and stored in underground facilities. In early 2023, Exxon Mobil, one of the world's largest oil companies, began using this technology to trap some 7 million tons of CO2 each year, and other major companies have offered similar plans. Capturing and burying these dangerous gases, supporters argue, will protect the planet and help prevent climate change. It will also, they contend, enable people to safely use fossil fuels while the world transitions to cleaner forms of energy. But opponents voice skepticism. Carbon capture technology is expensive, unreliable, and untested, they argue, and unrealistic on a large scale. Focusing on this technology, they charge, only distracts from broader efforts to lower emissions and slow climate change. Is carbon capture essential to fighting climate change?

Originally released by Intelligence Squared US, 2023. Streaming video file encoded with permission for digital streaming by Infobase on October 30, 2023.