A recent video by Tomorrow’s Build introduced a revolutionary technology that might look like a regular factory but has the potential to reverse climate change. This new type of infrastructure, which sucks CO2 out of the air, could become one of our biggest weapons against global warming. The host Fred Mills explores how these machines work, their potential impact, and whether they could be deployed on a large scale.
The Mechanics of Carbon Capture
Mills explains that the process of carbon capture involves either capturing CO2 from a single source, like a factory, or directly from the air. This CO2 is then stored, usually underground, or repurposed for making building materials. This technology is often referred to as carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). The concept is straightforward: capture the carbon before it enters the atmosphere or pull it out directly from the air to mitigate climate change.
Point Source Capture: A Proven Method
One method of carbon capture, known as point source capture, has been in use since the 1970s. This technique involves placing filters or scrubbers at emission sources to prevent CO2 from being released into the atmosphere. Mills gives the example of a cement plant in Norway, where emissions are routed through a solvent that absorbs CO2, which is then transported for storage or reuse. This method is already in commercial operation worldwide, with the number of facilities steadily growing.
Direct Air Capture: The Future of Carbon Removal
Direct Air Capture (DAC) represents a more ambitious approach. These machines, resembling giant air conditioners, use fans to draw in air, filter out the CO2, and then treat or heat it for storage. Companies like Carbon Engineering in Canada and Climeworks in Switzerland are leading the way with this technology. Climeworks, for instance, mixes captured CO2 with water and buries it deep underground, where it mineralizes and can be stored for thousands of years. This method addresses the backlog of CO2 emissions already in the atmosphere.
The Urgency of Carbon Removal
Despite the progress in clean energy technologies, Mills stresses that it’s not enough to stop climate change. To limit global warming to 1.5°C by 2100, as outlined in the Paris Agreement, we need to remove billions of tonnes of CO2 annually. Current efforts have only captured and stored about 300 million tonnes in total. To meet the necessary targets, we would need thousands of CCS facilities, far beyond the 30 currently in operation and the 150 in development.
High-Tech and Low-Tech Solutions
While high-tech solutions like DAC are essential, Mills also notes the importance of simpler methods, such as planting more trees and adding alkaline substances to seawater to enhance carbon absorption. However, these methods alone cannot achieve the gigatonne levels of carbon capture required. Therefore, a combination of high-tech and low-tech solutions will be necessary to address the scale of the problem.
Challenges and Costs
Mills acknowledges that despite the potential of carbon capture technologies, there are significant challenges, primarily cost. Carbon capture is expensive, and there is currently little financial incentive to implement it on a large scale. Additionally, transporting and storing the captured CO2 can be logistically complex and costly. Regulatory structures and local community impacts also pose challenges.
A Necessary Technology
I think that carbon capture technology represents a critical tool in the fight against climate change. While it is expensive and complex, the potential benefits in terms of reducing atmospheric CO2 and mitigating global warming are immense. The construction sector, in particular, will need to embrace these technologies to help scale their deployment and integrate them into broader environmental strategies.
“Just Plant More Trees”
People in the comments had a lot to say: “The biggest issue with Carbon capture is that it’s often seen as a scapegoat to just keep emitting and not change our existing systems. This is for instance seen in Denmark where the plan is to use carbon capture, not to combat emissions, but to create methanol to use as fuel in ships or airplanes, which might be greener than diesel, but still just takes emissions and push them somewhere else, and puts them back into the atmosphere upon combustion anyway instead of reducing the amount I the atmosphere. It’s really annoying.”
One commenter simply concluded: “We already have machines from nature to suck out CO2. TREES! Just plant more TREES.”
The Path Forward
To make carbon capture a viable solution, significant investment and policy support are necessary. Governments and private sectors must collaborate to create financial incentives and develop regulatory frameworks that encourage the adoption of carbon capture technologies. Public awareness and support will also be crucial in driving the implementation of these solutions.
The Future of Carbon Capture
In conclusion, Fred Mills’ exploration of carbon capture technology highlights its potential to reverse climate change. While still in its infancy, this technology offers a promising path forward. However, substantial efforts are required to scale up operations and integrate these systems globally. As Mills points out, addressing our carbon problem will demand concerted action from all sectors, particularly construction, to build a sustainable and climate-resilient future.
Creating Financial Incentives
What are your thoughts? What are the key barriers to scaling up carbon capture technology, and how can they be overcome? How can governments and the private sector create financial incentives to promote the widespread adoption of carbon capture technologies? In what ways can simpler, low-tech carbon capture methods complement high-tech solutions like Direct Air Capture?
Find out more by watching the full video on Tomorrow’s Builds’ YouTube channel here.
