The Environmental Policy & Culture Program debuts new “Scrubbing the Skies” webinar series to address greenhouse gas emissions and carbon removal options

The Environmental Policy & Culture Program at Northwestern University is launching a new webinar series  titled “Scrubbing the Skies.” The series addresses the need for not only reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, but also explores technologies that can significantly take up carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

“There is increasing recognition that meeting the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement will require the world community to both aggressively reduce greenhouse gas emissions AND deployment of technologies and processes that take up billions of tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere,” explained Wil Burns, the moderator of the series.

“The “Scrubbing the Skies” webinar series seeks to highlight potential carbon removal options, including potential benefits and risks, the role of public engagement, and governance approaches for what is likely to be a multi-trillion dollar industry within the next few decades,” said Burns.

The debut episode is on Tuesday, February 15, from 12 -1 pm CST. To attend participants must pre-register here.

More information about the debut webinar on February 15:

Direct Air Capture Facility Development in the United States
The Environmental Policy & Culture Program at Northwestern University and the Institute for Carbon Removal Law and Policy are co-sponsoring this “Scrubbing the Skies” webinar on direct air capture facility development in the United States.

Description: As the United States explores the potential for large-scale carbon dioxide removal and utilization, some of the most important developments are taking place in America’s heartland. With funding from the U.S. Department of Energy the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (ISTC) is leading a team to develop the designs and feasibility assessment for the first commercial-scale direct air capture and storage system for carbon removal in the United States. This webinar features Kevin C. OBrien, Director of the ISTC and the project’s principal investigator. Dr. OBrien will discuss developments related to this project, as well as projects in Illinois that may help to advance the development of carbon removal and use.

Moderator: Wil Burns, Environmental Policy and Culture Program at Northwestern University

Panelist: Kevin C. OBrien, Director, Illinois Sustainable Technology Center & Director, Illinois State Water Survey University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign