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ONGOING U.S. DOMESTIC PROGRAMS — SEQUESTRATION & AGRICULTURE R&D for Sequestration R&D for Sequestration DOE is pursuing research on sequestration technologies to separate and capture carbon dioxide from energy processes and combustion, disposal technologies for storing carbon dioxide in underground geological structures and in the deep ocean, and advanced concepts to transform carbon dioxide into either useful or environmentally benign products. In the post-2015 time period, this program has the potential to eliminate hundreds of millions of metric tons of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
Natural carbon sinks will play a critical role in helping the world meet the challenge of climate change. Recently, focus has intensified on agriculture and forestry practices that can affect the ability of farmland and forests to sequester carbon and help mitigate the impacts of climate change. As understanding of these practices has increased, the U.S. government has begun to analyze the net carbon effects of various USDA conservation and environmental programs and to determine how they can be enhanced and expanded to foster greater sequestration. In general, the programs assist farmers, ranchers, and other landowners in conserving and improving soil, water, and other natural resources associated with rural land. The programs include:
The Administration is continuing its strong support ($1.7 billion in Fiscal Year 1999 funding) for the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), which seeks to provide a sound scientific understanding of the human and natural forces that influence the Earth's climate system. National and international policymakers use the information produced by USGCRP scientists to make informed decisions on global change issues. Specific new research focuses include:
President and First Lady | Vice President and Mrs. Gore |