In early May, scientists in Iceland began operating a direct air capture plant to remove carbon from today’s air. Transporting the element from the open air to deep underground, “Mammoth” (the vacuum’s size-appropriate name) permanently stores carbon to reduce pollution.
Swiss company, Climeworks, is responsible for the revolutionary technology. According to Laura Paddison of CNN, the process of “vacuuming” the carbon only uses clean, geothermal energy. In the completely natural process, the carbon essentially turns into stone, secured in place for millions to billions of years. Author Andy Corbley describes the operation as fundamentally “carbon-negative.”
The direct air capture system not only uses clean energy, but also operates at impressive rates. According to Climeworks, Mammoth has the capability of removing 36,000 tons of carbon from the atmosphere per year. To place such an effect into perspective, 7,800 gas-powered cars produce 36,000 tons of carbon annually. Combining Climeworks’ efforts as well as future laws that ban gas-powered vehicles, Earth’s future might have a chance after all.
As global warming continues to worsen, leaving the younger generations’ fear ever-increasing, Climeworks provides a beacon of hope for the future. While the climate crisis remains an ongoing critical issue, Mammoth and its vacuum abilities offer a revolutionary approach to tackling climate change.