Commercial Plant Captures Carbon to Curb Climate Change

A new plant in the United States is capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and sealing it into concrete, where it can no longer heat the planet.

“Direct air capture technology is a game-changing tool that gives us a shot at removing the carbon pollution that has been building in the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution,” says Energy Secretary, Jennifer Granholm.

For now, the recently opened plant will absorb roughly 1,000 tons of greenhouse gases per year – equal to the exhaust of about 200 cars. Major corporations such as Microsoft and the United States government invest in these carbon capture technologies; however, these startups will need more funding to scale up eventually. In theory, as these technologies continue to develop, the cost should decrease, making this potential solution more accessible. How big of a role carbon removal might play in tackling climate change is still a question yet to be answered, but many scientists seem hopeful.