October 14, 2023 As greenhouse gas levels rise and threaten both humans and wildlife, scientists are searching for efficient and cost-effective ways to pull carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere. A recent New York Times opinion piece by John T. Preston, Dennis Bushnell, and Anthony Michaels calls for the US government to fund experimental research into geoengineering solutions, specifically ocean fertilization. This approach seeks to replicate a natural process that humans have disrupted through agricultural practices. It involves dumping iron dust into the oceans to stimulate the growth of algae and plankton, which in turn convert atmospheric carbon dioxide to organic carbon through photosynthesis, some of which sinks deep into the ocean. Ocean fertilization appears to work at a very effective rate, converting up to 8,000 molecules of CO2 to plankton or algae per iron atom, one study finds. It can also reduce harmful ocean acidification. The article comments on concerns surrounding ocean fertilization, including the potential growth of toxic algal blooms. As I was reading, I too immediately thought of eutrophication, which is a threat to the health of aquatic ecosystems and a topic I have talked about on this blog before. The writers argue that although the concerns are valid, the benefits of this approach may outweigh the costs; with the climate crisis as pressing as it is, it will be necessary to make some sacrifices in order to avoid a greater catastrophe. We have no perfect solution to global warming and will likely run out of time waiting for it. Although ocean fertilization is an imperfect solution, I am excited to learn that climate scientists are optimistic about its advantages.
