Startup Aims to Turn Oceans into CO2 Sponges and Green Hydrogen Machines

An LA-based startup, Equatic, has developed a revolutionary approach to tackling Climate change that could remove millions of tons of CO2 from the atmosphere and produce green fuel at the same time. Created by scientists from UCLA’s Institute for Carbon Management, the technology involves removing CO2 from oceans, which are the planet’s primary CO2 sink, using a simple electrochemical process. As well as removing CO2 from the atmosphere, the process produces hydrogen, which is considered the future of storable, carbon-free energy.

Equatic’s technology has the potential to remove millions of tons of CO2 in the coming years for less than $100 per ton. Two pilot facilities, located in Los Angeles and Singapore, have already been developed to test the approach. These facilities can remove 100 kilograms of CO2 and make a few kilograms of hydrogen each day. A larger test plant is scheduled to open in late 2024 in Singapore and is designed to remove 10 metric tons of CO2 per day. If all goes well, Equatic plans to operate large commercial-scale plants capable of removing 1 million metric tons of CO2 and making 35,000 metric tons of hydrogen annually by the late 2020s.

Equatic aims to retire carbon that Western societies have been blowing into the atmosphere over the last 100 years. The company intends to generate tens of millions of dollars in revenue within a few years by selling carbon offset credits to corporate buyers. If governments set ever-stricter rules for carbon emissions, the business could generate billions of dollars annually in the future. Hydrogen will also be a core element of its business, especially if the company can generate it for $1 a kilogram, which is cheaper than the target of PlugPower, a leader in the race to commercialize “green” hydrogen made from water and renewable power.

While Equatic’s technology appears promising, some questions remain. One concern is the large amount of energy the process requires, although the simultaneous production of hydrogen helps offset this. There are also worries about the process’s other byproduct, a slurry of carbonates resembling seashell material. The company is taking steps to ensure that the process doesn’t harm sea life.

In conclusion, Equatic’s technology represents a major step forward in the battle against Climate change. While efforts to increase the use of wind, solar, and other carbon-free energy sources are essential, large-scale removal of CO2 from the air and oceans that are already warming the planet may be even more vital. Companies like Equatic are at the forefront of this effort, and they need our Support. So, let’s all do our part to help make the world a greener, cleaner place.

Solution Not Pollution Sweatshirt by Tiny Rescue: Climate Collection

Related Content:

• Climate Ninjas: The Secret Warriors Battling Climate Change Denial on Twitter
• The Connection Between Seasonal Allergies, Climate Change, and Mental Health
• How Climate Change is Fueling the Rise of Mosquito and Tick-Borne Diseases
• Methane’s Surprising Cooling Effect: A New Piece in the Climate Change Puzzle
• Climate Change Puts Chill on Canadian Hair-Freezing Tradition

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!