What does the term "carbon sequestration" refer to?

The term "carbon sequestration" refers specifically to the process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) to prevent it from entering the atmosphere. This is a critical strategy for mitigating climate change, as excessive CO2 emissions contribute significantly to global warming. Carbon sequestration can occur through various methods, including the natural processes of photosynthesis in plants, which absorb CO2, and through technological methods where CO2 is captured from power plants or industrial sources and then stored underground in geological formations or utilized in various applications.

The focus of carbon sequestration is on both the capture mechanism and the subsequent secure storage, ensuring that the captured carbon does not contribute to atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. This process can help decrease the overall carbon footprint and plays a vital role in efforts to combat climate change and its associated impacts.