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Calls for caution as enhanced rock weathering shows carbon capture promise

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By illuminem briefings

· 2 min read


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

🗞️ Driving the news: Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW), a geoengineering method to speed up natural carbon capture, is gaining attention as a climate solution
By spreading finely crushed volcanic rock on farmland, companies claim ERW can store carbon while improving soil health
However, scientists urge caution, citing challenges in accurately measuring long-term carbon sequestration and potential environmental risks

🔭 The context: ERW mimics Earth’s natural carbon cycle by using silicate rock to lock atmospheric CO₂ into stable carbonates in soil, potentially storing billions of tons of carbon
Companies are already implementing ERW globally at small scales, supported by carbon credit sales, though the industry faces high costs and varied regulatory standards

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: If scaled up, ERW could provide significant carbon removal, with major agricultural nations like the U.S., China, and India showing the highest potential
Nevertheless, the environmental risks, such as soil toxicity from certain rock types, require careful assessment to avoid unintended consequences

⏭️ What's next: Experts emphasize the need for longer-term studies to refine methods for reliable carbon tracking and monitoring impacts on ecosystem
ERW could become a widespread solution, but only with better standards and validated methodologies to ensure safe and effective implementation

💬 One quote: “We want to do things that are safe for food, for soils, and for ecosystems... because when you have put something on the soils, it’s irreversible,” warns Arthur Chabot, co-founder of ClimeRock

📈 One stat: Currently, ERW contributes only 1.3 million metric tons of CO₂ removal globally, less than 0.1% of the estimated 7-9 billion metric tons needed annually to meet Paris targets

Click for more news covering the latest on carbon capture & storage

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