Crushed Stone: A Powerful Ally in the Battle Against Climate Change

From sugar fields in Brazil to tea farms in India, crushed rock is making waves in the fight against climate change. This method, known as Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW), is all about speeding up how nature captures and stores carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas.

ERW takes advantage of a natural process called weathering, where carbonic acid, formed by carbon dioxide mixing with water, breaks down rocks. This process can eventually lock carbon away as bicarbonate or limestone. By using finely ground basalt—an example of fast-weathering rock—ERW significantly boosts this carbon capture process.

Big companies are interested in ERW as they seek ways to offset their carbon emissions by purchasing carbon credits from these projects. For instance, a recent study from the U.S. showed that spreading 50 tons of basalt on a hectare of land each year could eliminate up to 10.5 tons of carbon dioxide over four years. However, results can vary widely depending on local conditions like climate, soil type, and rock characteristics.

Experts voice cautious optimism. Paul Nelson, a soil scientist from James Cook University, points out that current trials have sometimes overestimated the actual carbon removal, emphasizing the importance of accurate measurements. Variables like rock size and type, as well as local climate conditions, play significant roles in how effective this method can be.

Wolfram Buss, a carbon removal researcher at the Australian National University, stresses that while ERW is effective, better funding is needed for in-depth studies to truly understand its potential. He believes that further investigation will refine how we measure carbon capture, which is currently complex and can give misleading results.

In the ever-changing landscape of climate solutions, ERW offers promise—but it requires careful monitoring and research to realize its full potential.



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