The ocean is one of our most important allies in combating harmful carbon pollution, and California-based startup Equatic plans to give it an assist with technology that tackles two key challenges: removing harmful carbon pollution and reducing the use of dirty energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEquatic\u2019s first-of-its-kind technology solves both. \u2026 [It\u2019s] the most promising solution,\u201d Lorenzo Corsini<\/a>, the Principal Advisor at Equatic, said in a press release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The ocean already absorbs about 31%<\/a> of harmful carbon pollution, but that doesn\u2019t come without a cost. When carbon levels in the water rise, a chemical reaction occurs that affects the acidity of the environment, disrupting the habitat of numerous sea creatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The company\u2019s technology works by removing carbon dioxide (CO2) and turning it into a material similar to seashell dust<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sound far-fetched? Some ocean creatures, such as mollusks, naturally pull CO2 from the water to make their shells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe were thinking, \u2018What would be one of the best ways for us to start trapping CO2?\u2019 Well, what about the formation of seashells? This is a reaction that happens naturally,\u201d Dante Simonetti, an assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering, told Adele P<\/a>eters<\/a> of Fast Company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The CO2 removal process from Equatic utilizes<\/a> air, seawater, rock, and renewable electricity, and it naturally produces hydrogen, a clean form of energy \u2014 unlike oil, coal, or gas \u2014 because it releases only water into the atmosphere when used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Clean energy is a game-changer in reducing harmful environmental impact, providing hope for the outlook of our planet while sparking potential for long-term economic growth<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n