In an effort to mitigate the impact of their pollution on the climate, major companies like Google have invested in a plan that uses rocks to trap carbon dioxide. This initiative has been bolstered by a multimillion-dollar deal with a startup called Terradot, backed by Sheryl Sandberg.
A Multimillion-Dollar Deal with Terradot
Terradot’s strategy involves using enhanced rock weathering (ERW) to accelerate the natural process of carbon capture. This method relies on the breakdown of rocks through rainfall, releasing calcium and magnesium ions that combine with CO2 in water to form bicarbonate. The bicarbonate is then carried by groundwater into the ocean, where it is stored, effectively removing CO2 from the atmosphere.
Google, along with H&M Group and Salesforce, have collectively agreed to pay Terradot $27 million to remove 90,000 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through this method. This agreement was facilitated by Frontier, a carbon removal initiative led by Stripe, Google, Shopify, and McKinsey Sustainability. Furthermore, Google has announced an additional deal with Terradot to purchase an extra 200,000 tons of carbon removal, although it declined to disclose the cost.
The Significance of Enhanced Rock Weathering
According to Professor Oliver Jagoutz from MIT’s Geology Department, ERW is a significant step in addressing climate change: "It’s a big deal. I think it should go out of the academic world into the industrial world." Terradot’s approach involves crushing rocks and spreading them over large areas to increase their surface area, thereby accelerating the breakdown process.
The startup has partnered with Brazil’s agricultural research agency (EMBRAPA) to utilize this strategy on over one million hectares (2,471,054 acres) of land. The hot and humid climate in Brazil also contributes to faster weathering rates. However, determining the precise amount of CO2 captured will be a challenge.
Counting Carbon Dioxide Capture
While Terradot claims it can assess carbon capture through soil sampling, accurately measuring the removal of CO2 is a complex task. The company admits that precise measurement tools are still being developed and deployed in real-world settings. Moreover, factors like fertilizer in the soil can potentially limit carbon capture.
According to Jagoutz: "How much they sequester is still the outstanding question." However, he emphasizes the importance of trying new methods, despite uncertainties: "I also think, why not try? I don’t think we have the luxury to overthink it right now."
The Role of Carbon Removal
While carbon removal strategies like ERW can help mitigate pollution, they are not a substitute for reducing emissions. Companies should focus on transitioning to clean energy sources and investing in technologies that minimize their carbon footprint.
Google’s own carbon footprint has grown as its data centers require more energy. The company aims to address this by developing advanced nuclear reactors and new solar and wind farms. However, even with these efforts, 200,000 tons of carbon removal through ERW is a relatively small fraction of the 14.3 million metric tons of CO2 pollution Google was responsible for last year.
Conclusion
While ERW holds promise as a method for trapping carbon dioxide, it is essential to acknowledge its limitations and not rely solely on carbon removal strategies. Companies like Google must prioritize emissions reductions through clean energy transitions while supporting research into more effective methods of carbon capture.
