Iceland has become home to the world's largest facility for extracting carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere, marking a significant milestone in the fight against climate change.
Operated by Swiss firm Climeworks, the newly operational plant, named "Mammoth," has quadrupled the global capacity for direct air capture (DAC).
While existing DAC projects worldwide only manage to collectively capture around 10,000 metric tonnes of carbon annually, Mammoth is set to extract up to 36,000 metric tonnes per year once fully operational in 2024.
Utilising direct air capture technology, Mammoth functions as a giant vacuum, drawing in air and stripping out carbon using chemical processes. This marks Climeworks' second commercial DAC plant in Iceland, dwarfing its predecessor, Orca, by tenfold.
Following extraction, the captured carbon will be transported underground, where it will undergo a sequestration process with the Icelandic company Carbfix. This process involves converting the carbon into stone, effectively locking it away from the atmosphere permanently.
Crucially, the entire operation will be powered by Iceland's abundant and clean geothermal energy, further emphasising the plant's commitment to sustainability.
Speaking to CNN, Lili Fuhr, director of the fossil economy programme at the Centre for International Environmental Law, expressed concerns about carbon capture technology, stating that it "is fraught with uncertainties and ecological risks."
The inauguration of Mammoth represents a significant step forward in the global effort to combat climate change by actively removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, offering hope for a more sustainable future.
At a review meeting on Monday, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa went over the city's revised State Action Plan on Climate Change, setting targets for 2050 across nine key sectors
CVD In Indians: Here we share tips to help reduce chronic heart disease risk which are designed to be realistic, relatable and easy to follow.
The average daily microplastic exposure rose from 10.7 particles in the colder months to 21.1 in the hotter season, the study highlighted.
Monsoon ushers in respiratory trouble for many and pneumonia cases rise sharply, driven by damp air, viral spread, indoor pollutants, and rain-wetting. Children, elderly, and those with compromised immunity are most vulnerable.
Rain lashed several parts of Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region (NCR) on Saturday evening. Areas including Lajpat Nagar, RK Puram, Lodhi Road, and Mandir Marg witnessed light showers.
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