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🗞️ Driving the news: Researchers from the University of Zurich have discovered that certain fig trees in Kenya, Ficus wakefieldii, naturally convert atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) into solid stone-like minerals, offering a potentially groundbreaking natural method of long-term carbon sequestration
• Presented at the Goldschmidt Conference, the study highlights how these trees, working symbiotically with soil bacteria, transform CO₂ into stable calcium carbonate, locking carbon away for decades or longer while enriching soils
🔭 The context: Trees have long been central to climate mitigation strategies, but conventional forest carbon storage is vulnerable to reversal through decay, fire, or logging
• This newly identified process, involving both trees and microbes, converts CO₂ into durable mineral forms, reducing the risk of re-emission
• Similar abilities were noted in other tropical African species, like the iroko tree, but the Kenyan fig’s fruit-bearing and ecosystem benefits make it particularly promising
• The research adds to growing interest in “enhanced mineralization” as a scalable carbon removal pathway
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The ability to mineralize carbon in situ offers a resilient, nature-based solution to climate change while improving soil fertility and supporting biodiversity
• Unlike typical carbon sinks, which are susceptible to land-use change, mineralized carbon remains stable, potentially over geological timescales
• However, questions remain about how much CO₂ these trees can sequester at scale and whether large-scale planting is ecologically and economically viable
⏭️ What's next: Researchers plan to quantify the sequestration potential of individual trees and assess the feasibility of establishing plantations or integrating these species into sustainable agricultural systems
• Further interdisciplinary research will also examine ecological impacts, biodiversity trade-offs, and policy frameworks needed to responsibly deploy this strategy
• Results could inform nature-based solutions portfolios and regional reforestation programmes
💬 One quote: "This unique process ensures CO₂ is locked away for far longer than conventional forests can achieve, and it enriches soils in the process — a rare win-win," — Mike Rowley of the University of Zurich
📈 One stat: The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates 60–78 million tonnes of end-of-life solar panels by 2050, a reminder of the growing need for durable and innovative climate solutions, including those inspired by nature
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