WASTE CO2, A PROBLEM IN OUR TIMES

A great report can be read in the Chemical Processing magazine, June 08 edition (www.chemicalprocessing.com), describing an alternative use that can be given to waste carbon dioxide.
We are all conscious by now that CO2 levels in the atmosphere are constantly growing due to motor and industrial emissions amongst other causes; and that we have lesser trees and vegetation to convert it to oxygen.
Worst news about this is that the increase in CO2 content in the greenhouse gas composition, has a drastic increase in the temperature rise in the atmosphere with time, and is one cause for the global warming we are all worried about.
The good news is that scientists are working to find ways to use the excess CO2 being produced; like Dr. Michael North, a professor of organic chemistry and a group of researchers at the University of Newcastle, UK that believe have identified a role of the gas as feedstock. They have developed a method to convert waste and non purified CO2 into cyclic carbonates at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure, using a highly active aluminum catalyst. Cyclic Carbonates find uses in application as solvents,paint strippers, biodegradable packaging and as a feedstock for anti-knock agents for gasoline.