April 2023 issue

Volume 68, Issue 4

Nature perfected the carbon cycle a long time ago, and rock weathering plays a key role by helping capture atmospheric carbon dioxide through a chemical reaction that occurs when silicate rocks are exposed to air and water. Crushing up the right kind of rocks and spreading them on land could help humans ratchet up nature's process significantly, capturing some of the excess carbon dioxide we've released into the atmosphere. The promising idea has attracted not only a growing number of scientists, but also environmental entrepreneurs who are turning the research into action, albeit at a pace not everyone is comfortable with. While the scientific and business approaches operate under different rules, there's room for cooperation, data sharing, and innovation as they target the common enemy of climate change.

Cover photo: Courtesy of UNDO.