Enhanced Rock Weathering: Harnessing Basalt's Potential to Cool the Planet

Enhanced Rock Weathering: Harnessing Basalt's Potential to Cool the Planet

In a quarry near Edinburgh, Jim Mann demonstrates how basalt, through enhanced rock weathering, can contribute to carbon removal and help combat global warming. UN scientists assert that reducing greenhouse gas emissions alone will not be sufficient to prevent dangerous levels of warming, necessitating carbon dioxide removal.

Enhanced rock weathering accelerates the natural weathering process of basalt, increasing carbon removal when the rock interacts with rainwater. While the technique shows promise, questions remain about scalability, energy requirements, and the overall effectiveness of using basalt for widespread carbon removal.

How important do you think enhanced rock weathering and other carbon removal technologies are in addressing climate change? What role should they play alongside emissions reduction efforts?