2023 Essay Contest Finalist

Entry by Nirja Patel

A new geoscience innovation that changes carbon dioxide into rocks has the potential to positively impact the world in several ways. Primarily, it addresses the important issue of climate change by removing carbon dioxide, which is a major greenhouse gas, from the atmosphere. By weakening the effects of climate change, we can safeguard ecosystems, reduce the frequency of extreme weather events, and protect communities.

The emissions from various human activities, particularly associated with industrial processes, transportation, as well as energy production have a negative impact on ecosystems worldwide. This deranges ecosystems by altering temperature patterns, causing habitat loss, and leading to an increase in frequent severe weather events. Furthermore, air pollutants released during CO2 emissions can harm both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, thus affecting the health of plants, animals, and microorganisms, thus leading to decline in the biodiversity of those ecosystems.

One of the main techniques to relieve this is known as Direct Air Capture or DAC. The DAC helps decrease climate change, decrease global warming temperatures, and increase air, water, and soil quality. Their goal is to suck up 4,000 tons of CO2 a year which lessens the greenhouse effect.

Finally, converting CO2 into rocks can help restore and improve the health of damaged ecosystems. When carbon dioxide is mineralized, it reacts with minerals in the Earth’s crust, and forms compounds. These compounds can act as beneficial soil amendments, enhancing soil fertility and promoting plant growth. This has the potential to help degrading lands, increase agriculture productivity, and ultimately bolstering food security.

In conclusion, carbon dioxide conversions are affecting all systems of Earth Science in fragmented ways but are also connected. These conversions can help save the world we live in. Ultimately, it approaches a crucial step towards a more sustainable and stronger future.