Startup’s Ocean Carbon Capture Claims Spark Scientific Debate
Gigablue, an Israeli startup, has made headlines with its claim of selling 200,000 carbon credits for its ocean-based carbon capture technology. The company says its patented particles, when released into the ocean, trap carbon at the bottom of the sea, potentially saving the planet. However, outside scientists are raising serious questions about the effectiveness of this unproven technology.
The company, founded three years ago by tech industry entrepreneurs, has begun trials in the South Pacific Ocean and plans to create a “sequestration field” where particles will be released seasonally. Gigablue’s service is being marketed to companies looking to offset their emissions, with clients like SkiesFifty, a newly formed aviation industry company, already purchasing credits.
While Gigablue claims its solution is affordable and effective, capturing 10 metric tons of carbon dioxide for each ton of particles deployed, scientists are skeptical. The company’s particles are designed to float, grow algae, and then sink to the ocean floor, taking carbon with them. However, experts question whether the algae will grow as expected and whether the particles will actually sink as claimed.
“I left with more questions than answers,” said Ken Buesseler, a senior scientist with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, after Gigablue presented its technology. Several scientists interviewed by The Associated Press expressed concerns about the lack of public information about Gigablue’s technology and the potential environmental impacts.
The success of Gigablue’s method depends on factors like algae growth on the particles and the amount that sinks to the deep ocean. So far, the company has not released studies demonstrating these rates. Critics also point out potential issues like particles being eaten by fish or attracting bacteria rather than growing algae.
Despite these concerns, Gigablue has gained support from some quarters. Puro.earth, a Finnish company that verifies carbon credits, has drafted a methodology to verify Gigablue’s work. The company’s technology has also been endorsed by New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research.
As the climate tech industry continues to grow, with dozens of ocean startups entering the market, the case of Gigablue highlights the challenges of verifying the effectiveness of new carbon capture technologies. While companies like Gigablue are making bold claims about their potential to combat climate change, the scientific community remains cautious, emphasizing the need for rigorous testing and transparency.
The development comes as the world grapples with the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions and explore innovative solutions to combat climate change. As new technologies emerge, the balance between innovation and environmental safety remains a critical challenge.
