quote The centerpiece idea is a network of thousands of buoys floating in the North Atlantic, each holding a microforest of seaweed and a few pounds of limestone. The seaweed will gobble up carbon from the air and water, and the limestone will serve as an antacid for the surface layer of the sea—like a Tums for the ocean. With the shape of a small robot, a buoy's solar panels would power a cloud-connected camera and instruments to monitor kelp growth and water chemistry, a data feed vital for future carbon markets. When a seaweed crop is cut, it will sink to the deep ocean where all the CO2 those plants absorbed will remain buried in sediment for thousands of years. The company is also building floating oyster farms, which filter millions of gallons of seawater while growing a marketable source of protein and capturing carbon in the shells at the same time.

The company is "Running Tide" and its CEO, Marty Odlin, wants to be in the running for Elon Musk's $100 million XPRIZE for neutralizing eco public enemy numero uno: planet-heating and oceans-acidifying Carbon Dioxide.

"Meet the guy who wants to help save the planet with thousands of buoys, seaweed and giant antacids"
Bill Weir for CNN; May 22, 2022.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/05...20to%20go%20fishing.

[This message has been edited by rinselberg (edited 05-23-2022).]

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It's an interesting idea but I have to note that with a total ocean volume of more than 300 Million Cubic Miles, I am doubtful that 'thousands' of these buoys will do much: 'trillions' might be more like it. If we must sequester CO2 (which not that long ago used to be considered 'plant food'), I would restart the old Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) and have them plant site-appropriate trees everywhere, thin-out (i.e. properly manage) existing forests, and build sensible dams and desalinization plants where more water is needed. For a 2-year hitch I'd give folks a monthly stipend, boot up a retirement account, and free remote classes at the institution of their choice. [and in the same legislation I would require Congress to close for 4 months per year and spend 3 months at hard labor with the CCC.]

Any takers?

[This message has been edited by Notorio (edited 06-03-2022).]