Carbon Capture: A Dubious Solution to Climate Change?

Carbon Capture: A Dubious Solution to Climate Change?

Tech giants and major brands are increasingly turning to unconventional methods to offset their carbon footprint. Google, Salesforce, H&M, and others have invested millions in startups like CREW and CO280, hoping to capture carbon dioxide emissions from wastewater treatment plants and paper mills. These ventures, facilitated by the Frontier initiative, aim to offer a novel approach to carbon removal, but their effectiveness and environmental impact remain highly debated. The Allure of "Alternative" Carbon Capture The traditional method of carbon capture involves massive industrial plants that filter CO2 directly from the air (Direct Air Capture or DAC). However, DAC is expensive, with costs exceeding $600 per ton of captured carbon. This has driven companies to explore more cost-effective alternatives, even if they are less proven. CREW, for instance, proposes capturing CO2 naturally produced by microbes during wastewater treatment. By adding alkaline minerals to the tanks,…