Why High-Quality Carbon Removal is Critical to Climate Success
We’ve all heard about the need to cut down on emissions to fight climate change. Turning off lights when we leave a room, taking public transport, and switching to clean energy all help. But there’s another important piece of the puzzle—removing carbon dioxide that’s already in the air. And not just any carbon removal, but the kind that actually works long-term. That’s where high-quality carbon removal comes in.
To keep the planet livable, scientists say we need to take out billions of tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in the coming decades. Reducing new emissions is still the first step, but it’s not enough on its own. Some pollution is just hard to avoid, like from airplanes or farming. So we need ways to clean up what's already out there.
But here’s the tricky part—not all carbon removal is equal. Some methods store carbon only for a short time, like planting trees that could later be cut down or burned. Others use technology that stores carbon deep underground for hundreds or even thousands of years. This longer-lasting kind is what experts call “high-quality” removal. It’s more reliable and makes a bigger impact.
Think of it like cleaning up your house. You could sweep dust under the rug, or you could vacuum it up and throw it out—only one of those really solves the problem. In the same way, only the best carbon removal solutions actually help fix the climate, instead of just looking good on paper. Websites like planet-positive.org help people learn about better choices in carbon removal and why they matter.
Another big reason high-quality removal is important is trust. If companies or governments say they’re removing carbon from the air, people want to know it’s actually happening and lasting. If poor-quality projects take in money but don’t really work, it gets in the way of climate progress and turns people off from action.
The good news is, more people are paying attention and pushing for better projects. By supporting or buying carbon removal, we can send a message that only real, lasting solutions are welcome. And every bit of carbon we pull out of the sky makes the future a little cooler—literally.
So yes, let’s keep cutting emissions. But to truly give ourselves the best shot at a healthier planet, high-quality carbon removal has to be part of the plan.