Published on December 24th, 2024
Introduction
In the fight against climate change, tech giants like Google, H&M, and Salesforce are turning to an unconventional solution: rocks. These companies have recently committed millions of dollars to a startup called Terradot, which promises to tackle global warming through a process known as Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW). While it may sound like an odd and low-tech approach, ERW could play a significant role in carbon dioxide (CO2) removal, helping mitigate the impact of industrial pollution. But can this method live up to its promises, or is it just another speculative attempt at saving the planet?
The Enhanced Rock Weathering Solution
What Is Enhanced Rock Weathering?
Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) is an innovative but relatively simple strategy that aims to accelerate a natural process. Normally, when rain interacts with certain types of rock, particularly basalt, it causes a chemical reaction that traps CO2 in the form of bicarbonate, which is then carried by groundwater into the ocean, where it can be stored for millennia. In ERW, this process is sped up by crushing up rocks and spreading them over large areas, increasing the surface area that reacts with the atmosphere.
Terradot, the startup behind this approach, has made strides in bringing ERW from a theoretical concept to practical application. The company uses finely ground basalt, sourced from quarries in southern Brazil, and partners with farmers to spread it on soil. The added benefit is that the basalt helps manage soil pH, improving agricultural output while removing carbon from the atmosphere.
The Business Backing: $27 Million Deal
In an ambitious move, companies like Google, Salesforce, and H&M have invested a total of $27 million in Terradot‘s carbon removal strategy. This partnership was brokered through Frontier, an initiative led by Stripe, Google, and other prominent players in the tech industry. These companies have collectively agreed to pay Terradot to remove 90,000 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere through the ERW process by 2029.
Separately, Google announced its own deal with Terradot to purchase an additional 200,000 tons of carbon removal, which it plans to complete by the early 2030s. While Google did not disclose the exact value of this deal, it is estimated that at a price of around $300 per ton, it could amount to approximately $60 million.
The Potential of Rock-based Carbon Removal
Benefits and Challenges of ERW
The biggest draw of ERW is its simplicity and scalability. By using abundant materials like basalt, this approach promises a low-tech, large-scale solution to carbon removal. The warm, humid climate of Brazil accelerates the weathering process, making it an ideal location for trials. Additionally, ERW can serve as a complementary solution to soil management, helping farmers improve crop yield while reducing atmospheric CO2.
However, the method is not without challenges. One of the biggest obstacles is accurately measuring how much CO2 is actually being captured by this process. While Terradot plans to use soil samples to assess the amount of CO2 sequestered over time, it’s difficult to track the carbon all the way to the ocean, where it is supposed to remain stored. Fertilizers used in the soil may also affect the process, limiting the amount of CO2 that can be permanently trapped.
The Importance of Real-World Trials
Despite these uncertainties, experts like MIT professor Oliver Jagoutz suggest that the real-world trials should proceed. “I don’t think we have the luxury to overthink it right now,” Jagoutz says. The support from large companies, including Google, is essential to refining the technology and improving measurement methods, which will help develop the necessary rigor to track the actual impact of ERW.
Carbon Removal vs. Emission Reduction
A Step Toward Net-Zero, but Not a Complete Solution
While ERW and other carbon removal technologies show promise, they are not a substitute for reducing emissions in the first place. Carbon removal is essentially a way to counterbalance the pollution already released into the atmosphere. Google, for example, is working on projects to reduce its own carbon footprint, including the development of nuclear reactors and renewable energy sources to power its AI data centers.
Google’s carbon footprint was responsible for 14.3 million metric tons of CO2 emissions last year, and even with the 200,000 tons of CO2 removal through Terradot, it remains a small fraction of the company’s total pollution. The focus, experts agree, should still be on dramatically reducing emissions across the board, while carbon removal technologies like ERW play a supplementary role.
The Future of Carbon Removal Technologies
Scaling Up and Improving Measurement
For ERW to become a viable long-term solution, it will need to be scaled up significantly. The initial deals signed by Google, H&M, and Salesforce are a step in the right direction, but achieving widespread impact will require further investment and refinement of the technology.
Terradot is confident in the potential of its method, with the goal of sequestering millions of tons of CO2 globally over the coming decades. However, the success of ERW will depend on its ability to improve measurement accuracy, scale its operations, and demonstrate lasting results.
Complementing Emissions Reduction Strategies
In the broader context of climate action, carbon removal technologies like ERW should complement more aggressive strategies for reducing emissions. This includes a shift to carbon pollution-free energy, improvements in energy efficiency, and widespread adoption of clean technologies. ERW may offer a critical tool for balancing the scales, but it should not be seen as a reason to delay action on cutting fossil fuel use.
Conclusion
The idea of using rocks to fight climate change may seem far-fetched, but Enhanced Rock Weathering could provide a valuable tool in the broader effort to combat global warming. With support from major companies like Google, H&M, and Salesforce, the technology is getting the funding it needs to move from research to real-world application. However, as promising as ERW is, it’s essential to remember that carbon removal is not a replacement for emissions reduction. While these early-stage technologies hold potential, addressing the root cause of climate change—fossil fuel emissions—remains the most effective solution in the fight against global warming.
