In an effort to mitigate the impact of their pollution on the climate, tech giants like Google, H&M Group, and Salesforce have invested heavily in a plan to capture carbon dioxide using rocks. The initiative, led by Frontier, a carbon removal project backed by Stripe, Google, Shopify, and McKinsey Sustainability, has secured multimillion-dollar deals with Terradot, a startup founded by Sheryl Sandberg-backed James Kanoff.
The Biggest Deal Yet: Google’s $60 Million Purchase
Google has announced its largest purchase of carbon removal through enhanced rock weathering (ERW), a strategy used by Terradot to slow climate change. The deal involves the capture of an additional 200,000 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, on top of the 90,000 tons already agreed upon with Frontier. If the cost is similar to the Frontier agreement, which is roughly $300 per ton of CO2 captured, this could add up to a whopping $60 million.
What is Enhanced Rock Weathering?
Enhanced rock weathering (ERW) is a relatively low-tech approach to capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The process involves crushing rocks and spreading them out over a large area, increasing the surface area of exposed rock that reacts with CO2. This natural process can take thousands of years, but by accelerating it, we can trap more carbon in water as bicarbonate, which eventually makes its way to the ocean and gets stored.
Terradot’s Innovative Approach
Terradot has developed a unique approach to ERW by using basalt from quarries in southern Brazil. The finely-ground basalt is used to manage soil pH levels on nearby farms, with carbon removal as an added benefit. Terradot has partnered with Brazil’s agricultural research agency (EMBRAPA) to use this strategy on over one million hectares of land.
The Challenges Ahead
While ERW shows promise, there are several challenges that need to be addressed before it can become a viable solution for carbon capture. One of the main concerns is measuring the effectiveness of ERW in capturing CO2 from the atmosphere. Terradot plans to take soil samples to assess how much CO2 is captured based on how the rock degrades over time, but it’s still unclear how much calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate makes its way to the ocean.
Expert Opinion: A Cautionary Note
While ERW shows potential, experts are cautioning against relying solely on carbon removal as a solution to climate change. "Carbon dioxide removal encompasses a suite of strategies to take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere," says Oliver Jagoutz, a geoscientist at the University of California, Berkeley. "However, how much they sequester is still the outstanding question."
The Limitations of Carbon Removal
Despite the potential of ERW, it’s essential to remember that carbon removal is not a substitute for emissions reductions. Google, in particular, has faced criticism for its growing carbon footprint as it builds out energy-hungry AI data centers. The company’s plans to develop advanced nuclear reactors and new solar and wind farms are steps in the right direction, but switching to clean energy remains the most effective way to stop climate change.
Conclusion
The investment by Google and other big companies in Terradot’s ERW technology is a step in the right direction towards reducing carbon emissions. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge the limitations of carbon removal as a solution to climate change. Emissions reductions must remain the primary focus, alongside innovative technologies like ERW.
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4 Comments
- @JohnDoe: This is a great step towards reducing carbon emissions. However, we must not forget that switching to clean energy remains the most effective way to stop climate change.
- @JaneSmith: I’m concerned about the limitations of ERW in capturing CO2 from the atmosphere. How can we ensure its effectiveness?
- @BobJohnson: This is a much-needed investment in carbon removal technologies. However, we must continue to push for emissions reductions and transition to clean energy sources.
- @AliceBrown: I’m excited about the potential of ERW to capture CO2 from the atmosphere. However, we must also consider the social and economic impacts of this technology on local communities.
