Carbon sequestration is a process for the long-term storage of carbon dioxide or other forms of carbon to help stop and possibly reverse global warming. The process starts by capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air through biological, chemical or a physical method and then storing it underground.

Sequestration techniques do not produce immediate results and when considering their results, we must pay attention to the fact that they will be acting on future (not current) CO2 levels. These levels are expected by the IPCC to be higher than today's.

Carbon sequestration is achieved naturally though plants absorbing carbon doxide. The planting of trees is used as a carbon offset and the preservation of forests plays an important role in carbon sequestration. Terrestrial carbon sequestration is the process through which carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere is absorbed by trees, plants and crops through photosynthesis, and stored as carbon in biomass (tree trunks, branches, foliage and roots) and soils. The term "sinks" is also used to refer to forests, croplands, and grazing lands, and their ability to sequester carbon. Agriculture and forestry activities can also release CO2 to the atmosphere. Therefore, a carbon sink occurs when carbon sequestration is greater than carbon releases over some time period.

Additional Resources

http://www.epa.gov/sequestration/faq.html

http://fossil.energy.gov/sequestration/

http://www.energy.gov/sciencetech/carbonsequestration.htm