Iceland: This country is not only run on 100% renewable energy but is also home to an ambitious, cutting-edge carbon sequestration project called CarbFix.
CarbFix works by dissolving captured CO2 into large quantities of water, similar to the process used to make soda or sparkling water. This CO2-rich water is then injected over 3,000 feet below the surface of the earth, where it reacts with porous basalt to form carbonate deposits.
Many other scientists are also working on carbon sequestration strategies, but CarbFix is unique in that their method takes only a couple of months and is basically permanent (the stored carbon will be locked away for millions of years).
CarbFix currently sequesters around 10,000 tons of CO2 a year.
According to CarbFix scientist Sandra Snaebjornsdottir, “basalt is actually the most common rock type on Earth”, so this process could work even outside of Iceland’s unique geology. Basalt is particularly common in the ocean floor, which is where scientists are looking to next implement this technology.
“The storage capacity is such that, in theory, basalts could permanently hold the entire bulk of CO2 emissions derived from burning all fossil fuel on Earth.”
The crystal blue waters of Ginnie Springs have long been treasured among the string of pearls that line Florida’s picturesque Santa Fe River, a playground for water sports enthusiasts and an ecologically critical haven for the numerous species of turtles that nest on its banks.
Soon, however, it is feared there could be substantially less water flowing through, if a plan by the food and beverage giant Nestlé wins approval.
In a controversial move that has outraged environmentalists and also raised questions with authorities responsible for the health and vitality of the river, the company is seeking permission to take more than 1.1m gallons a day from the natural springs to sell back to the public as bottled water.
Opponents say the fragile river, which is already officially deemed to be “in recovery” by the Suwannee River water management district after years of earlier overpumping, cannot sustain such a large draw – a claim Nestlé vehemently denies. Critics are fighting to stop the project as environmentally harmful and against the public interest.
Meanwhile, Nestlé, which produces its popular Zephyrhills and Pure Life brands with water extracted from similar natural springs in Florida, has spent millions of dollars this year buying and upgrading a water bottling plant at nearby High Springs in expectation of permission being granted.
Diorite sculpture depicting king Senusret III as a young man, from the Temple of Montu in Medamud. Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty, reign of Senusret III, ca. 1878-1839 BC.
Now in the Louvre.
E 12960
