Here are two good reasons for optimism about how mankind can hoover up vast amounts of carbon dioxide.
The world’s plants and animals contain about 560 billion tons of carbon, and there’s another 800 billion tons in the atmosphere, reports Anthropocene Magazine. But soil contains nearly twice as much carbon again - an astonishing 2,500 billion tons. Improving soil’s collection and retention of carbon even by a small percentage could substantially roll back the carbon clock. Adopted globally, simple techniques such as adding compost or biochar, and converting to legumes, could store another 4 gigatons of carbon annually - more than the emissions from every passenger car in the world - according to researchers at the Natural Resource Ecology Lab at Colorado State University.
New technologies could potentially store another 2 or 3 gigatons, say the researchers. For example, spreading crushed-up alkaline rock over farmland using existing agricultural equipment could pack millions of years of natural geological weathering into just a few decades. The process would release helpful chemicals, restoring soils and boosting yields, as well as locking away carbon dioxide.
For example, sprinkling rock dust - an abundant byproduct of mining - on farmland could capture a whopping 45 percent of the carbon dioxide required to help the UK meet its 2050 net-zero targets.
Tantalizing Climate Solution: The simple act of spreading rock dust on farms is an overlooked solution to helping capture carbon dioxide.
Today's Magazine articles
World-First Study: Scientists show a direct link between vitamin D deficiency and dementia and strokes.
Elgin Marbles: British Museum has a clever solution on how to return the Parthenon marbles to Greece.
Carbon Vaults: Two good reasons for optimism on how mankind can hoover up vast amounts of carbon dioxide.
Remarkable Progress: In their final year at law school, Solomon Yeo and his classmates set their minds to saving the world. Four years later their idea has made it to the International Court of Justice.
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