How the next big thing in carbon removal sunk without a trace

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

🗞️ Driving the news: Running Tide, a carbon removal startup supported by companies like Microsoft, Stripe, and Shopify, gained attention for its ocean-based carbon removal methods
• Initially focused on sinking seaweed-filled buoys, the company shifted to dumping wood chips into the ocean, a move now criticized for its environmental impact

🔭 The context: Despite its ambitious claims, Running Tide faced difficulties in scaling its technology, including unverified carbon removal effectiveness and concerns over safety protocols
• Despite these challenges, the startup sold carbon credits to major tech firms before its operations collapsed in 2024

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The failure of Running Tide highlights the risks of unproven carbon removal technologies
• Its problematic execution raises concerns about the potential environmental harm caused by poorly implemented solutions in the carbon offset market

⏭️ What’s next: As the carbon removal market expands, experts stress the need for rigorous scientific validation and oversight to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of these technologies

💬 One quote: "Throwing wood chips into the ocean does nothing for the atmosphere." — Jón Ólafsson, University of Iceland

📈 One stat: Running Tide dumped 25,000 tons of wood chips into the ocean as part of its carbon removal efforts, sparking widespread criticism from environmental experts

See on illuminem's Data Hub™ the sustainability performance — carbon credit purchases, total emissions, and climate targets of thousands of companies

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