Frequently we are being updated and reminded of the climate crisis that the Earth is experiencing, and it often feels as if there is no action being taken in order to fix this problem. However, carbon removal plants are being built in order to eliminate the carbon dioxide from the Earth’s atmosphere.
In Iceland, the world’s first and largest climate-positive direct air capture and storage plant called “Orca” was launched by Climeworks in early September and has begun to filter out the carbon dioxide from the air that the fans are capturing.
According to Business Insider, the fans will suck in air and begin separating the carbon dioxide by mixing the carbon dioxide with water. The water then is sent into a tube underground where the carbon will then cool and solidify.
Even though these carbon removal plants are removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which is necessary to slow down the increasing temperature of the planet, this Orca facility alone does not eliminate enough of the global emissions being released into the air.
“In my opinion, I believe carbon capture technology like Orca is a great idea. I am glad and excited to see a big and functional plant that can convert a greenhouse gas like carbon dioxide into a usable form,” said Dr. Kunsiri Grubbs, an associate professor of biology at Winthrop University.
Carbon dioxide naturally exists in the atmosphere, but more and more carbon emissions are being released into the atmosphere due to the thousands of factories across the globe and the lack of regulations.
“If we do not remove politics from environmental concerns, nothing is going to progress or get better because environmental care should not be political,” said Stephanie Martin, a current master’s student and former biology major.
According to NASA’s Global Climate Change website, carbon dioxide remains in the Earth’s atmosphere from anywhere between 300 to 1,000 years. As a result of the carbon not being broken down, it is causing the Earth to contain heat that it is receiving from the sun. This heat is then causing the ice caps to melt, which then leads to more issues.
Carbon dioxide entering the air causes a domino effect across the world, and humans will be experiencing the consequences of emitting a great amount of carbon dioxide.
“I definitely think that the atmosphere can benefit from the plants that use efficient sources of energy to reduce carbon emissions,” said biology major Makayla Greene. “However it strongly depends on the influence and the willingness of human beings to participate in these unique but effective ways.”
NASA climate scientist Peter Kalmus did the math on the potential effects of the Orca facility.
“If it works, in one year it will capture three seconds worth of humanity’s CO2 emissions, he wrote on Twitter.
Although three seconds is not much carbon dioxide, it is still something that is eliminating the carbon dioxide that is affecting the climate of the Earth. If more of these plants are built, companies begin putting restrictions on factories releasing emissions, and humans begin to make conscious decisions of how they are releasing carbon dioxide, then, maybe, we can begin to slow the increase of CO2 in the atmosphere.
“I hope to see more plants like this in the future,” Grubbs said. “As for now, while we are waiting for better technology at cheaper prices, we can help remove carbon dioxide from the air by the use of the natural process for removing the carbon, which is photosynthesis.
“We can grow more plants or keep a couple of house plants such as pothos, aloe vera, spider plants and many more. They are beautiful, easy to take care of, absorb harmful substances and break down some pollutants inside our homes.”
