Enhanced Weathering
Enhanced weathering is a climate change mitigation technique that involves accelerating the natural process of weathering, where minerals break down and absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. This process typically happens very slowly over millions of years. By finely grinding certain minerals, like olivine and basalt, and spreading them on land or in oceans, we can increase CO2 absorption significantly. This not only helps reduce atmospheric CO2 levels, which contribute to global warming, but also can improve soil quality. It's a promising method to help combat climate change while enhancing natural ecosystems.
Additional Insights
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Enhanced weathering is a climate change mitigation strategy that involves accelerating natural processes that break down minerals, such as silicate rocks, to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. This process occurs when these minerals chemically react with CO2, forming stable carbonates. By crushing and spreading these minerals over land or oceans, enhanced weathering can potentially remove significant amounts of CO2, helping to combat global warming. It aims to harness natural geological processes to absorb greenhouse gases, potentially making it a valuable tool in the fight against climate change while improving soil health.