Introduction
Every ton of CO₂ we emit today carries a burden that stretches centuries into the future. This manifesto argues that our ethical duty, scientific understanding, and economic self-interest converge on one solution: deep, permanent sequestration. We must transform CO₂ from a lingering liability into a buried legacy.
1. The Moral Imperative
Intergenerational justice demands that we not saddle our descendants with the consequences of our emissions. Every fraction of a degree of warming magnifies risks to food security, biodiversity, and human health. By committing to permanent storage, we honor our responsibility to those who come next.
2. Scientific Certainty
Unlike short-lived solutions, geologic and mineral sequestration lock CO₂ in forms that remain stable for millions of years. Carbonates and caprock formations outlast human institutions and climate fluctuations—providing a scientifically proven vault that evolution itself designed.
3. Economic & Practical Viability
Advances in modular DAC, AI-optimized mineralization, and shared infrastructure are driving costs toward $10–$50 per ton. When weighed against the trillions in climate damages and adaptation costs, permanent removal is not only feasible—it’s fiscally prudent.
4. Overcoming Barriers
- Policy & Regulation: Enact price floors, permanence standards, and vault certification to drive market certainty.
- Public Engagement: Build community trust through transparent monitoring, benefit-sharing, and open data.
- Finance & Innovation: Leverage public-private partnerships, carbon credits, and R&D incentive programs to scale technology.
5. A Call to Action
Governments, industry, and civil society must unite behind a single goal: secure multi-century CO₂ storage at gigaton scale. Commit to bold targets, invest in permanent solutions, and hold each other accountable to a legacy of stability, not liability.
Conclusion
Our era’s defining achievement will be leaving behind a safe, stable climate. By choosing deep, permanent sequestration over temporary fixes, we cement our role as stewards—not spoilers—of Earth’s future. Let’s bury the carbon footprint of our era and leave a legacy, not a liability.