There is good news about carbon capture and storage (CCS), the technology that is intended to slow global warming by capturing industrial carbon dioxide emissions and injecting them underground. Last week, US energy secretary Steven Chu outlined plans for using some $2.4 billion in economic stimulus money to research aspects of CCS. These efforts will join important research already under way. Several European nations are looking at technical issues in partnership with industry; Australia has a cutting-edge research programme; China has entered the game; and the United States has a number of existing pilot projects across the country. (Editorial)