Humankind has an opportunity to remove CO2 at climate-relevant scale by collaborating with US, Caribbean and regional governments. A new production system in the Tropical Atlantic produces 125-150 million tons of floating seaweed (Sargassum) that aggregates on US and neighboring coasts. Today, the US DOE ARPA-E funds the Fearless Fund-led team of US National Labs, marine engineers and universities testing an initiative to harvest floating macroalgae for renewable fuel, CO2 removal and the Blue Economy.
Earth is undergoing change in its physical, chemical and biological systems at multiple scales. To reduce and reverse harmful impacts, we must focus on long term sustainability in human endeavors. The UN has recognized this need and established 17 Sustainable Development Goals (http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/sustainable-development-goals.html). Energy production from fossil fuels has released carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, while removal of forests has released additional carbon dioxide and reduced the biological carbon dioxide uptake.
Fearless Fund pioneers the scale-up of ocean-based plant production as an alternative energy source and an important contribution to a more sustainable economy. The process reduces excess nutrient runoff, therefore benefitting the health of various marine ecosystems.
Atmospheric carbon dioxide has increased dramatically over the last 150 years. Our oceans have absorbed around ¼ of human emissions of carbon dioxide, and ocean chemistry is changing to become more acidic. Fearless Fund is developing a process that transforms the carbon dioxide into macroalgae biomass. The team repurposes the algae into products and energy.
Earth's global population is on course to grow to 8.6 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050 and 11.2 billion by 2100. How will we provide food, energy and water for expanding populations? Long term sustainable practices--by governments, companies and individuals--can assist the restoration of our ecosystems and ensure biodiversity and productivity.
