The climate change problem, to put it mildly, is bad. According to the , “The last time the atmospheric CO2 amounts were this high was more than three million years ago, when temperature was 2°–3°C (3.6°–5.4°F) higher than during the pre-industrial era, and sea level was 15–25 meters (50–80 feet) higher than today.” NASA that these temperature changes will cause stronger hurricanes and extreme weather, widespread droughts and heatwaves, rising sea levels, and an ice-free Arctic during the summer—all within this century. Preventing, or at least mitigating, these climate changes is a major focal point for startups and scientists alike. While some are focused on curbing our carbon output with clean energy, others have started asking a different question: Startups focused on carbon removal, otherwise known as carbon sequestration, are working on technologies that range from biology to geology: Many other bold projects are also being investigated. Researchers are interested in using to absorb carbon dioxide, with some going so far as to suggest flooding portions of our deserts so there can be more bodies of water to dedicate to these efforts. The idea of carbon removal has fascinated investors. Tech elites, like , are investing in the space, and Y Combinator recently published a “ ” that are working on carbon removal technologies. Of course, most of these projects are businesses—and businesses need to make money. The proposed or in-action carbon removal technologies are expensive, and there are questions about whether they can ever be profitable without government assistance. Still, these startups are engineering entirely new technologies to combat a dire threat against Earth. Even if some of the technology is still theoretical and the business math isn’t entirely proven out, these are exactly the kind of bold, potentially world-changing initiatives that make startups exciting.
A growing number of start - ups are focusing on carbon removal – also known as carbon sequestration – and its strategy for combating climate change . Bill Gates has invested in the sector , while Y Combinator has issued a request for start - ups working in the field . Swiss firm Climeworks uses a large air filter that bonds to CO2 to remove it from the atmosphere through direct carbon capture . Meanwhile , start - ups Carbicrete and Newlight produce cement - free concrete and bioplastics , respectively , that are carbon negative , as the manufacturing processes remove CO2 from the atmosphere . Project Vesta uses volcanic rock on shelf seas to remove CO2 .