Seaweed-based carbon removal technique may increase CO2 due to ocean nutrient disruption
By
Alec Luhn
Summary
Seaweed cultivation, touted as a promising carbon dioxide removal technique with tens of millions in investment, may backfire due to unintended side effects. The process could alter ocean nutrient levels and potentially hamper other CO2-absorbing processes, possibly even increasing atmospheric CO2 instead of decreasing it. While CDR is considered necessary to meet Paris Agreement climate goals, this analysis suggests seaweed-based approaches face significant ecological risks.
Source
Twitter / XSeaweed-based carbon removal technique may increase CO2 due to ocean nutrient disruptionnewscientist.comKey quotes
· 3 pulledTens of millions of dollars have been invested in growing seaweed to absorb carbon dioxide and slow climate change.
But due to unwanted side effects, this technique could fail to significantly decrease the CO2 in the atmosphere, and it might even increase it.
Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) will be needed to meet the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 2°C, according to the UN, and many have hoped seaweed could be a cheap way to do that.
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