How about taking CO2 to the next level?

Taking things from a Cradle to Cradle perspective, i cannot look at Co2 as something “bad” that should be avoided, minimised, reduced. I’d prefer to look at it as a resource, an ingredient. And when one does that, the question of Co2 is not about reduction, but about finding ways to put Co2 in good usage.

In other words: if you ask me, the biggest problem with Co2 is not that it’s out there, the problem is that it floats, like a balloon, up in the air. Thát is the problem that needs to be solved. And I wholeheartedly believe that it –can- be solved.

We all know that we cannot look at trees any more to solve our problems with Co2. Loss of natural forests to agricultural land exceeds 5-7 million hectares globally per year.* Which brings us back on our own feet; WE need to find solutions and applications that can copy what trees can do. Like growing algae on it (as shown in the picture above).

Another place for solutions is topsoil. More than twice as much Co2 is bonded in soil/biomass as in the atmosphere.* We should be looking for techniques to bring Co2 back in soil (and than I don’t mean: in vessels, using a lot of energy to make Co2 liquid). What we need, is concepts of Co2 usage in for example biodigestion, composting, fermentation, and gasification*.

I believe we can do this. I’ve heard brilliant scientists whisper mindblowing idea’s to catch and re-use Co2. I have no doubts that human kind has the capacity to bring forward the concepts we need so badly right now, but these great minds need help and support. From Inventors that can put theories into practise. From Entrepreneurs that are willing to makes these practises into business cases. And that’s why i am so happy to be asked to raise my voice here at the GC blog:

As a Cradle to Cradle inspired strategist, I hope to see the Grand Prize of this year not won by another inventor of a greenhouse-gas-reducing product or service… but by someone that takes this years Green Challenge approach to Co2 to the next level.

I am dreaming of a winning product or service that is not about Co2 reduction, not about being Co2 neutral, but that brings a solution to the world that is Carbon-POSITIVE. We do not need to make Co2 our enemy. We need people that take the challenge to bring Co2 to the right places.

Diana den Held

–

* This quote comes from this Article: “Cradle to Cradle: Transitioning from Waste Incineration to Beneficial Materials”

* photo (algae fed on Co2) by Jurvetson (flickr)

–

Limited attributed copyright
Creative Commons – Attribution-Non-commercial-No Derivative Works

For the articles in this category I give permission to use the text for use on other websites and/or other media under certain conditions. Condition 1 is that my name as author, Diana den Held, as well as the source, the URL to Gevleugelde Woorden to the text in question, is stated. Condition 2 is that the text cannot be used for commercial purposes. The third and final condition is that the text cannot be altered or transformed. You can place your own title and intro above it, but the text must be placed as I have written it. Moreover, commercial parties should feel free to contact me to discuss the possibilities.

Cradle to Cradle® and C2C® are registered trademarks held by EPEA Internationale Umweltforschung GmbH and McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry, LLC.