G'Day ; As is done within a plant, why can't we separate the O from the C, collect the C as a solid and release the O into the atmosphere?
Blessings Miykle

The plant uses energy (sunlight) to split CO2 (and H2O).

Photosynthesis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosynthesis)

I don't see any reason it couldn't be done, except for the energy requirements. So it wouldn't be useful.

Perhaps if we could find a suitable catalyst to decrease the amount of energy required... :rolleyes: If that catalyst was discovered, then!

People are working on just storing the CO2 underground, and also on converting it back into hydrocarbons. Wikipedia has an overview: Carbon capture and storage - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_sequestration)

The downside (mentioned on Wikipedia) is additional energy consumption, resulting in additional fuel usage, resulting in higher prices, more pollution (from burning more fuel), and more environmental harm (from mining more fuel).