As the urgency of the climate crisis looms large and the window to prevent a 1.5°C global temperature rise rapidly diminishes, it is crucial to explore innovative approaches that go beyond emission reduction. While the responsibility lies largely with the most polluting nations and corporations, renewable energy installers, alongside innovators and scientists, are playing a vital role in combatting climate change and capturing carbon.
Some revolutionising climate action has already started:
Seaweed Farming
Harnessing the carbon-absorbing capabilities of seaweed, visionary entrepreneur John Auckland envisions vast sargassum farms covering 55,000 sq km (21,200 sq miles) of ocean. This ambitious project, known as Seafields, aims to absorb a staggering gigatonne of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to a billion tonnes—showcasing the potential of seaweed as a significant CO2 remover.
Plastic-Eating Mushrooms
Surprisingly, certain species of mushrooms, such as Pestalotiopsis and oyster mushrooms, have demonstrated the ability to consume plastic. By cultivating these remarkable fungi, we can target plastic waste hotspots like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, converting microplastics into harmless organic matter and potentially addressing both plastic pollution and food scarcity.
Building with Hemp
Hemp, renowned for its exceptional strength, insulation properties, and low emissions, emerges as a sustainable alternative to traditional building materials. With hemp capable of absorbing up to four times more carbon dioxide than trees, utilizing it for construction purposes can significantly contribute to carbon sequestration while bolstering soil health and land reclamation efforts.
Direct Air Capture (DAC)
Going beyond traditional carbon capture methods, DAC extracts CO2 directly from the atmosphere. This approach offers advantages such as efficient storage, minimal land usage, and the potential for CO2 utilization in food processing or synthetic fuel production. Though currently in its early stages, DAC holds promise for large-scale carbon dioxide removal if costs can be reduced.
Polar Water Cannons
In a unique yet scientifically grounded concept, millions of water cannons are proposed to blast seawater onto arctic and antarctic ice sheets, fostering their thickening and longevity. By increasing the reflective surface area, this method aims to reduce global warming while preventing the melting of ice and subsequent rise in ocean levels. However, the considerable cost associated with implementation poses a challenge.
While these innovative approaches present exciting possibilities, it is vital not to lose sight of the urgent need to transition to clean energy sources and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. These initiatives can serve as complementary measures, providing a buffer and additional time to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy. Furthermore, scaling down these ideas to local levels empowers communities to take charge of their fight against climate change.
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