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CO₂ REMOVAL
Algae absorb more CO₂ than terrestrial forests. By planting kelp forests on a large scale, we can restore the ocean's wild nature and capture carbon and throw away the key, keeping it locked away.
As guardians of the planet, we have a responsibility for its preservation and protection. But excess man-made atmospheric CO₂, ocean acidification and the resulting destruction of marine ecosystems are just some of the areas where urgent action is needed to reverse the damage we have caused. We believe that algae farming can be an important tool, along with carbon mitigation measures, to help restore planetary health.
How do algae absorb C02 permanently?
Algae is one of the fastest growing organisms on the planet and can grow up to 60 cm per day and reach lengths of up to 40 meters. To fuel this rapid growth, algae perform photosynthesis. Through this process, carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere and converted and stored (“sequestered”) in various parts of the organism (the stem, leaves, bladders, support, etc.).
Algae continually release organic material, some of which is tiny and dissolves in water, called dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and some larger material that is not able to dissolve in water. Any part of the seaweed that breaks off and is larger than the head of a pin is called Particulate Organic Carbon (POC).
DOC released by algae is immediately consumed by microbes or transported out to sea, where it sinks to the ocean floor. Given that the ocean floor is unlikely to be disturbed and has very little human contact, the risk of carbon release is effectively zero, so it can be considered “permanently sequestered”.
Even more carbon is trapped at the bottom of the ocean when parts of the algae break off. These fragments, or POC, travel out to sea – sometimes thousands of kilometers. Eventually, the algae's gas-filled bladders burst and the algae's debris sinks to the ocean floor, where it remains. As with POC, this carbon is sequestered in the deep sea and is unlikely to ever be unlocked.
At Phycus, we are optimistic and know that taking action is possible. By planting kelp forests on a large scale, we can restore the ocean's wild nature and capture carbon and throw away the key, keeping it locked away forever.
How does carbon absorption by kelp forests compare to other forms of deliberate carbon sequestration?
Common methods of deliberate carbon sequestration include:
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Terrestrial sequestration: for example, establishment of new forests, wetlands or grasslands
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Long-term effectiveness is debatable due to the high likelihood of carbon being released again through fires, deforestation and forest degradation.
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Requires land that could be used for agriculture, housing, industry or infrastructure
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Geological sequestration that involves capturing CO2 from emissions from fossil fuel plants and channeling it into deep underground formations of porous rocks.
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The amounts of carbon that can be sequestered in this way are still very small
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Oceanic sequestration has focused on seaweed farming, seagrass meadows, tidal marshes, and mangroves.
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High risk of releasing carbon into the air through human activity or other forms of disturbance.
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Because we grow kelp forests in deep waters, we reduce the risks associated with growing in shallow waters and on the coast.
SUSTAINABLE
– Algae grow naturally in the sea and are self-sufficient
– No pesticides or fertilizers are required and no non-biodegradable waste is produced
– Has no adverse effect on the environment and does not require land that can be used for agriculture, housing, industry or infrastructure
BENEFICIAL
– Kelp captures and helps sequester CO2, reversing ocean acidification
– Kelp forests attract and protect marine life
– We will create jobs in coastal communities, producing beneficial and profitable products for our investors.
PRACTICAL
– When done at scale, Kelp can be easily grown and harvested multiple times a year at minimal cost
– Once planted, Kelp will continue to produce and grow for many years
Nossos Selos de neutralização
Nossos clientes recebem nossos selos de neutralização comprovando suas reduções nas emissões. Incorpore já nossos selos no seu site, seus documentos, seus produtos e eventos. Cada selo representa a quantidade de unidades de créditos verificados convertidos na redução das suas neutralizações.
