HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — On the eastern shores of Canada, a little-known company is taking an unusual approach to combat climate change by pumping a slurry of minerals into the ocean from a gas-fired power plant. This initiative, championed by Planetary Technologies based in Nova Scotia, involves releasing a combination of water and magnesium oxide, a mineral commonly used in various applications, into the sea. The company believes this will increase the ocean’s capacity to absorb greenhouse gases.
As Planetary’s motto declares, “Restore the climate. Heal the ocean.” This endeavor is part of a burgeoning industry determined to utilize the ocean’s absorbent capacity to address global warming. With financial backing from prominent figures like Elon Musk’s foundation, the company is vying for a significant prize aimed at fostering innovative carbon capture solutions. Various other companies and academic groups are exploring similar methods, such as sequestering rocks, nutrients, or seaweed in the ocean to lock away carbon dioxide for extended periods.
However, the debate over the long-term consequences for marine ecosystems is significant. Concerns persist about whether these initiatives can deliver substantial climate benefits, especially if they are deployed on a grand scale. Critics argue that these projects are progressing too rapidly without sufficient regulatory oversight.
Carbon credits, representing the removal of one metric ton of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, finance Planetary’s activities alongside other ocean startups. Despite a noted increase in the sale of marine carbon credits in recent years, the total amount remains negligible compared to the scale needed to ensure long-term planetary habitability.
Planetary’s chief ocean scientist, Will Burt, acknowledges the ambitious yet uncertain nature of their undertaking. According to him, discovering the effectiveness of their approach quickly is imperative to mitigate environmental risks, as cutting emissions alone is unlikely to suffice in combating global warming. The ocean, which naturally regulates Earth’s climate, presents an untapped potential for capturing climate-warming gases.
Over the past few years, various sectors have invested in terrestrial carbon capture initiatives, such as developing facilities to store carbon underground or replanting forests. Yet, these projects are often constrained by available space and potential impacts on local communities. Given its vastness, the ocean offers a seemingly limitless space for similar endeavors.
During a visit to Planetary’s site near Halifax Harbour, Burt explains that the goal is to transform carbon dioxide in the ocean into stable molecules that do not react with the atmosphere for extended periods. Other companies in the sector are pursuing different approaches, including growing marine organisms like seaweed to absorb carbon dioxide. There are even plans to use the ocean’s depths to store organic materials that would otherwise release greenhouse gases if left on land.
While the prospects for these technologies are met with enthusiasm, they encounter resistance from coastal communities. For instance, when Vesta sought to dump olivine near the North Carolina coast, local wildlife agencies expressed concerns about potential damage to the marine ecosystem. Similarly, Woods Hole’s project faced opposition from fishing communities worried about the impact on local marine life.
Despite these challenges, scientists and pioneer companies see the urgency in experimenting with ocean-based carbon capture solutions. They argue for larger-scale testing to understand efficacy and ecological impact. It’s an intricate and evolving field, charged with unraveling the mysteries of ocean dynamics and carbon cycles.
As the conversation around these initiatives grows, so does the funding and support. Nonetheless, questions remain about scaling up operations without unintended ecological ramifications. Still, the alternative, leaving climate change unchecked, is a greater risk.
Planetary recently reported a small-scale success, indicating the removal of 138 metric tons of carbon, allowing distribution of equivalently valued carbon credits to early investors like Shopify and Stripe. Such developments highlight the dual nature of this growing industry, where progress is necessary yet fraught with potential exploitation. While monetizing environmental efforts raises concerns, it also fuels innovation in the absence of widespread government funding.
The industry continues to evolve, with companies expanding ocean-based solutions, seeking to facilitate larger-scale and more efficient carbon removal. With the policy landscape in a state of flux, future U.S. government support for these initiatives remains uncertain. Acknowledging the pressing climate crisis, companies like Planetary emphasize the necessity for rapid and responsible action. As the world faces record-breaking global temperatures, the urgency for effective solutions becomes ever more critical, aligning technological ambitions with ecological realities and community needs.
