How to Make Recyclable Plastics Out of CO2 to Slow Climate Change
In a not-so-distant future, your morning routine could be contributing to a cleaner Earth. Imagine waking up on a foam mattress crafted from greenhouse gases, dressing in a T-shirt made from factory emissions, and sipping coffee from a cup that biodegrades harmlessly. Such products already exist, part of a global effort to combat the environmental havoc wreaked by centuries of human activity.
As temperatures rise and irreversible damage mounts, the need for action is urgent. The United Nations warns of increased death and disease, emphasizing the importance of tackling rising carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Carbon capture and storage (CCS), a method endorsed by the IPCC since 2005, traps CO2 from smokestacks and sequesters it underground. While CCS facilities are on the rise, a more promising avenue, carbon capture and utilization (CCU), incorporates captured CO2 into products like cement, jet fuel, and plastics.
Recognizing CCU's huge potential, new and established companies are forming and collaborating, offering innovative solutions. For instance, London-based Unilever partnered with U.S. and Indian companies to create laundry detergent from industrial emissions.
Plastics are conventionally made from fossil fuels, contributing to massive CO2 emissions. However, a paradigm shift towards creating plastics with captured CO2 is underway. The CCU market, which was valued at nearly $2 billion in 2020, is expected to reach $550 billion by 2040, driven by initiatives like adding CO2 to cement and jet fuel.
While challenges exist, researchers are making strides. Catalysts show promise in reducing the energy needed for CO2 conversion. Microbes, like acetogens, are being harnessed to transform CO2 into a variety of products, including fabrics. The potential for a circular carbon economy, where carbon is endlessly reused, offers hope. Achieving this will require concerted efforts in government policy, corporate practices, technological development, and individual behavior. As researchers continue to innovate, they pave the way for a future where the carbon dioxide molecule becomes a building block for a cleaner, more sustainable world.
đ Â This summary was human-edited with AI-assist.
