Swish Goswami, building the next great sci-fi franchise to Parallel Studios.
Companies in the technology sector are we plan to reduce their overall carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. To do this, it is important that they consider not only how to reduce their emissions, but also how to work with companies that remove carbon from the atmosphere and sell carbon removal credits.
In my previous article I explained how carbon removal technology could help fight climate change. In this article, I want to dig deeper and explore several different technologies that can remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Technological methods for carbon removal
While natural methods like reforestation And carbon sequestration in the soil have their place, the reality is that we will need technology to help us solve the problem of climate change on a large scale. (We need to remove seven to nine billion tonnes of carbon of the atmosphere every year by 2050.)
Right now, there are some really cool technologies in development, including:
Direct air capture
One of the most exciting innovations in carbon removal is direct air capture (DAC)or the process of using machines to extract carbon directly from the atmosphere.
DAC technology is still in its infancy and faces challenges, particularly in terms of energy consumption and cost. But if DAC can become affordable and scalable, it could become one of the most effective tools in the fight against climate change.
Biomass
Biomass is another promising method, where organic materials (like plant waste or even animal waste) are used to remove CO2. Charm Industrial goes even further by transform biomass into bio-oilwhich can then be injected into the ground, locking away carbon for centuries.
Biomass has great potential, but it is not a perfect solution. The process of growing, harvesting and converting biomass can require a lot of land, water and energy. In addition, the transport and transformation of biomass can always lead to emissions if this is not done effectively. But it remains an area worth exploring, especially if we can optimize the process.
Improved weathering
Improved weathering works by accelerating the natural process in which CO2 reacts with rocks to form stable carbonates. By spreading crushed useful minerals, such as olivine, over large areas of land, CO2 can be captured much more quickly and efficiently.
Currently, this method is still in its first experimental phase. Mining, crushing and transporting rocks also consumes a lot of energy, most of it coming from climate-polluting fossil fuels. For this method to reach its full potential, it will need to eliminate more CO2 than it creates.
Carbon mineralization
Carbon mineralization is essentially a natural process in which CO2 reacts with minerals to form carbonates. Certain types of rocks, such as basaltwork better, and researchers are working on ways to speed up the process so we can capture more CO2 and store it faster.
This is another area where technology is still evolving. The challenge is scale itas increased mining can have negative social and environmental impacts. But carbon mineralization could still play a key role in the future of carbon removal, especially if we can assess potential uncertainties, reduce risks, and find the right methods to speed up the process.
Ocean-based approaches
Since water bodies cover approximately 71% of the Earth’s surface, they are one of the most powerful avenues in the fight against climate change. In fact, the oceans have absorbed approximately 25% of human CO2 emissions over the last decades.
Here are some ways the ocean can play a bigger role in carbon removal:
• Direct Ocean Capture (DOC) is a method that removes dissolved CO2 from seawater for carbon storage or reuse, meaning the treated seawater will be returned to the ocean to absorb more carbon. That said, the DOC has several issues that will need to be addressed, the most significant of which is the potential impacts on marine ecosystems such as changes in water chemistry and habitat disturbance. There are also concerns regarding scalability and economic feasibility of technology.
• Ocean fertilization This is where nutrients like iron are added to specific areas of the ocean to stimulate the growth of phytoplankton. These small plants absorb CO2 during photosynthesis. When they die, they sink to the ocean floor, helping to store carbon. However, with this method it will be crucial to avoid disrupting the global distribution of nutrients, as some areas could experience a reduction in nutrient supply, which would negatively impact economic activities such as fishing.
Conclusion
Technology companies create their sustainable development plans should have a solid understanding of these technologies and how companies working in this field can help mitigate their environmental impact. Companies like 1PointFive, Deep Sky, Frontier Carbon Solutions, and Climeworks, for example, are all noteworthy players in the carbon removal space, actively working with companies to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
When working with carbon removal companies, it’s important to ask the right questions to determine how these companies’ carbon removal aligns with their and your sustainability goals. For example, ask them how they tackle challenges with the solutions mentioned in this article.
We currently find ourselves at a critical juncture in the fight against climate change. I firmly believe that these technological methods could reverse climate change and put us on a more optimistic path. The key is to determine which of these methods can evolve to meet the enormous challenge that lies ahead.
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