Testing the waters: An analytical framework for testing the political feasibility of scenario-based proposals for disposing of CO2 in the oceans

Abstract

Industrial nations need an array of arrangements to meet obligations for the Rio Treaty CO 2 emissions standards for the year 2000. Ocean storage of power plant CO 2 emissions is one option. Two strategies seem feasible: 1) Transfer CO 2 directly from the power plant by pipeline to the appropriate ocean depth and release it through diffusers; 2) transport contained CO 2 to an offshore site and diffuse it by pipe to appropriate depths. However, jurisdictional location of the disposal site, the environmental consequences of the diffused CO 2 on water quality and living resources, and public understanding and acceptance will ultimately influence decisions. Legality will be tested by The London Dumping Convention, The Law of the Sea Convention, the RIO Treaty and Agenda 21. Public acceptance will depend on public trust. This paper presents a decision framework based on the two ocean disposal scenarios above. It allows scientists and policy-makers to examine these strategies using legal and socio-political baseline parameters. Both disposal strategies, if determined feasible, would have added costs necessary to assure the public of the integrity of the disposal activity. This decision framework helps policy makers formulate questions, determine trade-offs, and ultimately decide the practicality of the CO 2 Ocean Disposal strategy.