Another weapon to fight climate change? Put carbon back where we found it

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on National Geographic or enjoy below

🗞️ Driving the news: In an effort to combat rising carbon emissions, innovative carbon removal technologies, like using green sand on beaches and exploring the potential of seaweed, are being tested

🔭 The context: While traditional methods focus primarily on reducing emissions, Klaus Lackner emphasizes the need for proactive approaches that also remove existing carbon from the atmosphere
• However, he expresses concerns about governmental policies addressing the issue effectively

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Carbon removal has the potential to significantly reverse environmental damage
• These technologies could play a pivotal role in combating climate change and ensuring a sustainable future for the planet

⏭️ What's next: While projects like the green sand on Long Island's Little Peconic Bay and the Climeworks direct-air-capture plant in Iceland are promising, they are still in their nascent stages
• Scaling these solutions and integrating them into global climate strategies will be the next significant step

💬 One quote: "We need technology to save us, but I don't see the policy coming along that would support it" (Klaus Lackner, Center for Negative Carbon Emissions at Arizona State University)

📈 One stat: Seaweed can sequester carbon 40 times more efficiently than trees, making it a potent tool in the fight against climate change

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