· 2 min read
illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Verge or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: Tech giants have committed $80 million to carbon removal initiatives
• $32.1 million is allocated to CREW, a startup capturing CO₂ emissions at wastewater treatment facilities, while $48 million is directed to CO280, which retrofits pulp and paper mills with carbon capture technologies
🔭 The context: As corporations strive to mitigate their carbon footprints, they're exploring diverse carbon removal strategies
• CREW converts CO₂ into ocean-bound bicarbonate using alkaline minerals, while CO280 captures CO₂ from burning "black liquor" in pulp manufacturing and stores it underground
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Implementing carbon capture at industrial sites can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• These efforts aim to address climate change by removing CO₂ from the atmosphere
⏭️ What's next: While these technologies show promise, challenges remain
• High costs and energy consumption pose significant challenges, with critics highlighting the need for a transition to clean energy sources for sustainable climate solutions
💬 One quote: "We do need to be looking at a lot of different kinds of approaches" — Wil Burns, co-director of the Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal at American University
📈 One stat: The cost per ton of CO₂ removal is approximately $447 for CREW and $214 for CO280, highlighting the current expense of these technologies
Click for more news covering the latest on carbon capture & storage
