We have Six Years (& Hope)
By: Alec James
Tags: Climate Change, Oceans, Climate Action

This week is the first time I saw the Climate Clock in the flesh. Right by Union Square Park in New York City, there is effectively a doomsday clock counting down. When I saw it yesterday it told me that we have 6 yrs 270 days 08:26:41 to achieve zero emissions in order to prevent catastrophic consequences. In actuality, the clock doesn’t mention the last part which is probably why unknowing people walk past it everyday. Nonetheless, regardless of whether you know what it indicates, it remains a powerful sight for anyone who looks upon it.

So, we have six years. Six years to seriously change the way our planet’s societies operate. But we knew that already, didn’t we? So what has changed in the past five years? How is technology gearing to tackle this impending issue? I’ve spent a lot of time recently exploring those technologies at the forefront of innovation for climate change mitigation, and many give cause for hope.

One company that I was told about recently really caught my eye. Although gimmicky and outrageously expensive, https://aircompany.com/ produces carbon negative vodka and hand sanitizer by extracting that carbon from the atmosphere. It was truly encouraging to see that climate friendly products are being ‘hipsterfied’, as there has clearly been a big emphasis on marketing of this product. The overall aesthetic seems very trendy, and it is very connotative of fun, if that’s even possible when related to climate change. The tides are turning, and I would love to see more of these types of products, and importantly ideas, in the coming years. Make climate consciousness consumer-friendly!

A far more viable technology is being developed by Ocean-Based, who are trying to restore phytoplankton in the oceans. Their product is an autonomous, wave-powered pump that draws nutrient-rich water from 500m deep in the ocean up to the surface. Once at the surface, the nutrient-rich water gives rise to phytoplankton blooms which can double in mass every 24 hours, absorb Carbon Dioxide and sink to the seafloor when they die. This almost guarantees Carbon sequestration, and makes use of the single largest carbon store on Earth. Although just starting out, Ocean-based is making use of some incredibly accurate carbon detection technology to monitor the rate of carbon sequestration at their sites. They intend to scale exponentially over the coming years.

These such technologies, which are either completely innovative in their field or are actively reducing emissions in hard-to-rebate emissions sectors, are the most exciting prospects to have arisen in the last five years. https://appliedbioplastics.com/ is a company associated with the latter, as it works towards commercialising bio-material-based plastic substitutes. Plastic production is directly associated with the oil industry and is one of the most widely utilized products on Earth. To think that they perpetuate the oil industry and take 1000s of years to naturally degrade is terrifying. Applied bioplastics is on a mission to transform industries, provide massive ROI to its customers and build a sustainable growth engine for plastic recycling and eco-friendly agriculture in developing economies in particular.

These two companies in particular give me hope for the future, and drive to get involved myself. With more research I am confident in finding more surprisingly viable solutions.