Enhancing Carbon Capture on Farms with 'Magic Dust'

MAGIC DUST:CRUSHED BASALT FOR CARBON CAPTURE IN AGRICULTURE

1. What is the ‘magic dust’ being used on farms?
The ‘magic dust’ refers to crushed basalt, a volcanic rock, which can capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and improve crop growth. It is being spread on farms to aid in carbon capture through a process called enhanced rock weathering.

2. How does enhanced rock weathering work?
Enhanced rock weathering accelerates a natural process where rainwater, containing dissolved carbon dioxide, reacts with the crushed basalt. This reaction solidifies the carbon and removes it from the atmosphere, helping reduce greenhouse gas levels.

3. How is basalt improving crop production?
Besides capturing carbon, basalt has been shown to enhance crop yields and improve the quality of grazing land for livestock. The minerals in the rock enrich the soil, promoting better plant growth.

4. What is the role of the company ‘Undo’ in this process?
Undo is supplying basalt to farmers for free, funded by carbon credits. Large companies like British Airways, Microsoft, and McLaren Racing purchase these credits to offset their carbon emissions, supporting the basalt spreading initiative.

5. Is basalt a sustainable resource for carbon capture?
Yes, basalt is a by-product of the aggregate industry and is available in large quantities worldwide. This makes it a scalable and sustainable option for carbon capture, as it can be sourced locally without significant transportation emissions.

6. What are the future goals of this carbon capture initiative?
Undo aims to spread enough basalt to remove one million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by next year. This method is seen as a scalable and fast solution to address climate change.

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