Iceland opens the world's first ‘negative emissions' power plant

A company in Iceland has created the world’s first “negative emissions” power plant.

Climate scientists had hoped we could fight climate change by simply cutting emissions. But as global temperatures continue to rise, some companies are turning to “direct air capture”-- with power plants that function as mechanical “trees” by sucking carbon dioxide out of the air - but at a much higher rate.

Reykjavik Energy and Climeworks worked together to open a geothermal station in Iceland that reportedly removes more carbon dioxide from the air than it puts out. 

It works by using air filters to isolate carbon dioxide from the rest of the gases found in air. Then, it binds the carbon dioxide to water and sends it underground where it will mineralize into carbonates. So basically, it’s taking carbon dioxide from the air and turning it into stone.

As impressive as the technology is, it’s also complicated, but it can’t only be up to innovators like these to save our planet.

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