Satirical Take on Carbon Capture
Ben Jennings' latest cartoon for the Guardian takes a sharp satirical aim at carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, a contentious topic in climate policy. The illustration depicts a factory emitting a thick cloud of smoke, with a small, comically inadequate carbon capture device attached to the smokestack. A caption reads, 'Our carbon capture solution is working perfectly – we've captured a whole tonne of carbon since 2015.' This underscores the slow pace and limited scale of CCS deployment compared to the urgency of the climate crisis.
Context of the Cartoon
The cartoon appears amid ongoing debates about the viability of CCS as a climate solution. Proponents argue it can help reduce emissions from hard-to-abate sectors, while critics contend it is often used to justify continued fossil fuel use. According to the Global CCS Institute, as of 2025, there were only about 40 commercial CCS facilities worldwide, capturing roughly 45 million tonnes of CO2 annually – a fraction of global emissions. Jennings' cartoon highlights this disparity, using humor to question the efficacy of current CCS efforts.
Impact and Reception
The cartoon has resonated with readers, many of whom share skepticism about CCS. On social media, users have praised Jennings for capturing the absurdity of relying on unproven technology to solve the climate crisis. One commenter noted, 'This perfectly illustrates the gap between hype and reality.' The cartoon also reflects broader frustration with slow climate action, as global CO2 emissions continue to rise.
Broader Climate Satire
Jennings is known for his pointed political and environmental cartoons. This latest work fits into a tradition of climate satire that challenges greenwashing and technological optimism. By focusing on CCS, he targets a technology that some see as a distraction from necessary systemic changes, such as transitioning to renewable energy and reducing consumption.
