政府や企業が気候変動を遅らせるための新たな方法を探す中、直接空気回収（DAC）と呼ばれる技術が多くの国で注目を集めています。

READING

As governments and companies search for additional ways to slow climate change, direct air capture, commonly called DAC, is receiving growing interest in many countries. This technology removes carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere. Large facilities use chemicals, fans, and filters to separate CO2 from surrounding air before it is transported for long-term storage or other uses.

Supporters say DAC is beneficial. Some carbon dioxide remains in the atmosphere for many years, and certain emissions are difficult to eliminate completely. In DAC facilities, fans pull air through materials that capture CO2 while other gases pass through. By repeating this process on a large scale, the systems can remove some of the CO2 already in the air and complement other efforts to reduce emissions, such as using renewable energy and encouraging cleaner transportation.

Nevertheless, critics raise concerns. Operating the equipment requires substantial amounts of electricity and heat, while construction, chemicals, maintenance, and transportation make the process expensive. If the energy comes from fossil fuels, some of the climate benefit may be lost. Another challenge is long-term storage. Captured CO2 must be compressed, transported, and placed in suitable underground sites. These locations require careful monitoring so that the gas does not leak back into the atmosphere.