Pulling carbon from the sky is necessary but not sufficient

Pulling carbon from the sky is necessary but not sufficient

For a start, let’s pull carbon from the sky

Scientists have provided the most detailed analysis yet of the technical and economic potential of sequestering carbon by speeding up the natural weathering process of silicate rocks. In ‘enhanced rock weathering’, minerals such as basalt could be spread over croplands — potentially boosting crop yields and soil health at the same time. It’s not a substitute for aggressive action to cut emissions, notes a Nature editorial, and there will be environmental, regulatory and practical challenges. “But it is becoming clear that if humanity is to limit global warming to 1.5–2 °C above pre-industrial levels, it must pursue every promising idea.”

Nature | 5 min readReference: Nature paper