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Strategies and Actions Carbon Sequestration Our forests and oceans are natural carbon sinks, each absorbing 25 percent54 of the carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere.° The process of capturing and storing this atmospheric carbon is known as carbon sequestration, and it is a strategy that — when combined with other efforts — can help combat climate change. A nonprofit organization called Project Drawdown specifically recommends 25 solutions based on using carbon sinks to reduce the impacts of climate change." There are several processes that can capture and store carbon: • Biological Sequestration: The process of planting trees and other vegetation in forests, grasslands, and rangelands. Reforestation is one of the cheapest sequestration processes and helps support biodiversity. In our cities, encouraging residents, businesses, and parks to maintain or plant new trees can help to pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. • Biochar: This process involves the burning of organic materials to create biochar, a compound that can hold carbon for long periods, rather than releasing it into the atmosphere as it degrades. Research shows that biochar will not break down for at least 100 years and possibly up to 1,000 years." This type of carbon sequestration may be a solution for landfill and wastewater treatment applications. • Biogas: A methane and carbon dioxide gas produced from anaerobic digestion of agriculture waste products, landfills, and wastewater systems. Biogas can be used for heating, electricity, or transportation fuel; it is currently widely used in wastewater treatment plants in California. • Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): CCS is a three-part process that involves capturing carbon dioxide, transporting the carbon dioxide, and storing it underground typically through geologic sequestration. • Geologic Sequestration: Carbon is captured and injected into underground rock formations for long-term or permanent storage. • Technological Sequestration: Scientists are working to develop new and innovative ways to capture carbon. Some technologies are looking at capturing carbon directly from the air. Other potential technologies include repurposing carbon for use in other technologies. • Trees End of Life Sequestration: A portion of the carbon dioxide trapped in trees during growth is released after they are cut down during the decomposition process. In order to avoid releasing this carbon dioxide, carbon can be stored for longer timeframes by locking carbon into wood products, such as lumber or furniture, or creating biochar. When urban trees fall down or are purposefully removed, residents and local municipalities should consider these end -of -life use cases to prevent the carbon dioxide from being re -emitted into the atmosphere. It's not yet clear what role carbon sequestration will have in Redwood City's climate action strategy, but it's an important strategy Redwood City will evaluate and support moving forward. A healthy ocean has what is known as positive and negative "flux;" the former when CO2 from the ocean is released into the atmosphere, and the latter when CO2 is absorbed. Today, in large part due to human activity, the oceans absorb more CO2 than they release. It is projected that by 2100, the oceans will be a CO2 sink. The increase of CO2 from fossil fuels is significantly impacting the acidity of the ocean, ultimately affecting not only the sea life, but also the air we breathe. City of Redwood City Climate Action Plan 61