What is the primary purpose of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technology?

The primary purpose of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technology is to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it underground. This process is designed to mitigate the impact of carbon emissions produced by industrial processes, power generation, and other sources contributing to climate change. By capturing CO2 before it is released into the atmosphere and then securely storing it underground, CCS effectively reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps to combat global warming.

This technology plays a critical role in transitioning to a more sustainable energy landscape while continuing to utilize fossil fuels in a more environmentally responsible manner. It provides a bridge that allows for continued energy production while addressing the urgent need to reduce atmospheric carbon levels.

The other options do not accurately represent the role of CCS. For instance, eliminating fossil fuel use completely is not the primary focus of this technology, as CCS allows for fossil fuels to still be part of the energy mix. Increasing the carbon footprint contradicts the fundamental objective of CCS, which is to lower emissions, and recycling carbon dioxide into fuel, while an interesting concept, does not capture the essence of what CCS is fundamentally designed to achieve.