When you look at an arch, the stone in the very middle at the top - the one that holds all the other stones tightly together - is called the "keystone." In biology the term "keystone species" is used to describe a plant or animal upon which other species depend and without which eco-systems will likely fall apart (e.g. wolves, beavers, starfish).
"Bio-based economy" is another term that is also starting to pop up more in certain circles. Basically this contrasts the current petroleum based economy with a plant based paradigm. In both economies I would argue that carbon plays a role similar to that of a keystone species. However the difference in impacts between using new carbon (biomass from plants) versus historical carbon (oil, gas, coal) are enormous; nearly polar opposites in fact.
Carbonizing new carbon sources, such as plant residues, produces biochar plus a number of other useful co-products that can include heat energy, syngas, wood vinegar and more. Research on the use of biochar to displace all manner of goods for which dinosaur carbon is currently used has been expanding. Exciting new biomaterials including plasters, packaging, cosmetics, and more are being developed. In contrast to the "earth-ache" that fossil fuel based products cause, biochar based products actually revitalize the planet, both below and above-ground!
Think how much better off the planet would be if we would just let sleeping dogs (and dinosaurs) lie! - Kathleen Draper
From Keystone to Keystone
Sorry, I got halfway through writing a comment only to lose it because of a keyboard glitch... I only wanted to say the following... "Before we attach Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS), we need to have all the facts straight. Ironically CCS is a "Bridging" technology that will reduce carbon emissions during a time when world wide societies and economies are weaning themselves from their dependance on fossil carbons as a source of energy and an important ingredient used for fertilizer production (nitrogen). This "Bridging" period of time will likely last for the remainder of this century and will usher in a more sustainable replacement for energy and nutrients for soils - the bio based societies and economies of the future. It is rather idealistic to believe that such a dramatic transition can be made without a "Bridging" technology, i.e. CCS. Lets not attach significant methods of avoiding carbon emissions to the atmosphere. We are in need of keeping all the options on the table as we navigate through this very challenging period of history as a human race. I agree entirely that CCS is not sustainable over the long term and isn't the ideal... but it will get us to the long term over a transitional period with a little less disruption to the world's economies (which will be significant over the decades to come). CCS will help us get to the bio-based economies we all desire. Until we are successful at regenerating soils and plant productivity over vast areas of the planet, we will need socio and environmentally responsible use of fossil carbons. What we need is a plan for a transition (a bridge with possible "Keystones") to eventually reach this sustainable bio-based world.