In an effort to combat the devastating impact of their pollution on the climate, several major companies have partnered with a startup called Terradot to use rocks to trap carbon dioxide. This innovative approach, known as enhanced rock weathering (ERW), has gained significant backing from some of the world’s biggest names.
Google Leads the Way in Carbon Removal
Google is at the forefront of this initiative, announcing two major deals with Terradot worth a combined $27 million to remove 90,000 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The company also separately inked a deal to purchase an additional 200,000 tons of carbon removal from Terradot, although it declined to disclose the cost.
A Low-Tech Tactic for Carbon Capture
ERW is a relatively simple and low-tech approach to capturing carbon dioxide. By crushing rocks and spreading them out over a large area, the process accelerates a natural reaction that traps CO2 in water as bicarbonate. This bicarbonate-rich groundwater eventually makes its way to the ocean, where it stores the carbon and keeps it out of the atmosphere.
Terradot’s Innovative Approach
Terradot grew out of a research project at Stanford University, where CEO James Kanoff and CPO Sasankh Munukutla were undergraduate students. The company uses basalt from quarries in southern Brazil to create a finely-ground powder that farmers can use to manage soil pH, while also capturing carbon dioxide.
Partnership with Brazil’s Agricultural Research Agency
Terradot has partnered with Brazil’s agricultural research agency (EMBRAPA) to use this strategy on over one million hectares of land. The hot and humid climate in Brazil helps speed up the weathering process, making it an ideal location for Terradot’s ERW approach.
Challenges Ahead: Measuring CO2 Capture
While Google acknowledges that measuring the effectiveness of ERW is a challenge, Terradot plans to take soil samples to assess how much CO2 is captured over time. However, experts note that determining how much calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate makes it to the ocean to permanently sequester CO2 is still an open question.
Experts Weigh In: Carbon Removal as a Supplement, Not a Substitute
Oliver Jagoutz, a professor of geology at MIT, notes that while ERW shows promise, its effectiveness is still uncertain. "How much they sequester is still the outstanding question," he says. However, he emphasizes that trying out this approach in real-world settings is essential.
Carbon Removal: A Supplement to Emissions Reductions
Google’s carbon footprint has grown significantly as it builds energy-hungry AI data centers. While ERW can help counteract some of its legacy pollution, switching to clean energy is the only effective way to stop climate change. "It’s very clear that this is not a substitute for emissions reductions at all," says Kanoff.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Google and other major companies are investing in innovative approaches to carbon capture, such as Terradot’s ERW method. While there are challenges ahead, experts agree that trying out these new approaches is essential in the fight against climate change.
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Comments
- Comment 1: "I’m glad to see companies taking action against climate change. However, I agree with Kanoff that this is not a substitute for emissions reductions."
- Comment 2: "It’s interesting to learn about the ERW approach and its potential applications in carbon capture. I hope more research is done on this topic."
- Comment 3: "Google’s efforts are commendable, but we need to focus on transitioning to clean energy as quickly as possible. Carbon removal should be seen as a supplement, not a substitute."
