On the Trade-off between Carbon Sinks and Carbon Sources in the Chemical Industry
In today's world, changes in the environment are related to all people, and the circulation of carbon is particularly important. In the chemical industry, the prosperity of the country and the needs of people's livelihood are all key, but the trade-off between carbon sources and carbon sinks is also studied by the academic community and the industry.

Chemical production relies mostly on fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas. When it burns, a huge amount of carbon enters the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide, which is the bulk of the carbon source. For example, in a refining plant, the cracking reaction and combustion process all emit carbon. There is also the chemical synthesis industry, which uses carbon-based raw materials and complex processes to produce various products, of which a lot of carbon escapes from the environment.

However, the field of chemical industry is not only a source of carbon production, but also a carbon sink opportunity. First, the development of new materials, with adsorption materials and porous structures, can capture carbon dioxide in specific environments. This is a method of physical adsorption, which stores carbon in the material and turns waste gas into "static carbon". Second, the rise of biochemical industry, with the wonders of microorganisms, the fixation of carbon. For example, some algae can absorb carbon dioxide under the action of photosynthesis, convert it into biomass, deposit carbon in the body, and can be reused to produce energy or other products. In addition, the refinement of chemical technology and the technology of recycling are getting better and better. The tail gas of the reaction can be recycled, and the carbon in it can be re-entered into the process and reused as raw materials, which not only reduces the release of carbon sources, but also increases the power of carbon sinks.

However, weighing the two, the amount of carbon sources is still considerable in today's chemical industry. Although new technologies are frequent, the reform of the old system cannot be achieved overnight. To seek more carbon sinks than carbon sources requires the joint efforts of academia, industry and politicians. Academia should devote itself to research, expand the path of carbon sinks, and explore the ability of new materials and new bacteria; industry should be bold and innovative, introduce new technologies in production, and eliminate the old rules; politicians should take measures to encourage, set limits to supervise, and promote the green transformation of the industry.

Over time, if all parties cooperate, the scene of carbon sinks exceeding carbon sources in the chemical industry may be expected. At that time, the chemical industry will not only make the country rich, but also keep the world clear, becoming a sustainable industry, and blessing future generations.