Running Tide: Harnessing Biomass Sinking for Carbon Removal
by Kim Krey, on Mar 26, 2024Fighting climate change requires innovative and sustainable solutions. We joined forces with Patch and the Running Tide biomass sinking project to support their pioneer initiative in
carbon removal. But what exactly is biomass sinking, and why is it crucial in the fight against carbon emissions? Let's delve into the details and explore the significance of this partnership.
Introducing the Patch Partnership and Running Tide Project
As part of our new environmental impact strategy, we are working with Patch to make contributions to climate technologies that are designed to remove carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere. In this post, we explore how we support Running Tide, which at its core uses a natural method called biomass sinking to trap CO₂ from the air and store it in the ocean. But what exactly does that mean, and how does it work?
Unveiling Biomass Sinking: Nature's Carbon Sequesterer
Biomass sinking involves the cultivation and deployment of marine phytoplankton: tiny organisms (plants/algae) that play a vital role in the Earth's carbon cycle. These phytoplankton absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and convert it into organic matter. When these organisms die, they sink to the ocean floor, effectively trapping carbon for thousands of years.
How Biomass Sinking Works in Removing Carbon
The process of biomass sinking is both natural and efficient. By harnessing the power of phytoplankton, Running Tide accelerates the removal of CO₂ from the atmosphere and locks it away in the deep ocean. This natural carbon trapping process not only helps mitigate the effects of climate change, but also promotes marine biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Why are Biomass Sinking and Carbon Removal Important?
The importance of biomass sinking and carbon removal cannot be overstated. As greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, the need for scalable solutions to reduce these emissions becomes increasingly urgent. Biomass sinking offers a sustainable method of removing CO₂ from the atmosphere, while also providing additional benefits such as marine habitat restoration and ocean acidification mitigation, which is important to protect coral reefs and the general marine biology, keeping our oceans healthy.
What’s the Conclusion?
The collaboration between refurbed and Patch, funding the innovative Running Tide project, represents a significant step forward in the fight against climate change. By harnessing the power of biomass sinking for carbon removal, we're not only reducing our environmental footprint, but also inspiring others to join us in building a more sustainable world. Together, let's embrace the power of refurbished tech and make a positive impact on the planet.
To find out more about all the projects we support have a look at our carbon removal overview.