Algae: The Sahara’s Silent Heroes in Fight Against Climate Change

In the heart of the world’s desolate deserts, where life seems to cower before the relentless sun, a silent hero arises from the sand – algae. These microscopic architects weave a delicate web of organic matter, stabilizing the soil and creating a foundation for life to flourish once more. These tiny, resilient organisms demonstrate an unparalleled ability to revive degraded ecosystems, weaving together the threads of life where they had seemingly frayed beyond repair.

However, in the face of escalating concerns regarding the climate crisis, researchers and scientists are exploring innovative solutions to mitigate the impact of rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Every year, countries emit approximately 37 billion tons of carbon dioxide through the burning of fossil fuels. To achieve the goal of zero emissions within the next 30 years and combat further global heating, it’s essential to find effective carbon removal solutions. One such approach gaining attention involves leveraging the vast expanse of the Sahara desert as a potential solution.

The Sahara’s Unexpected Role in Climate Change Mitigation

The concept revolves around cultivating algae in this arid region and utilizing it to capture carbon dioxide, a primary greenhouse gas responsible for global warming. The Sahara desert, known for its harsh conditions and extensive stretches of barren land, presents an unexpected opportunity in the fight against climate change.

Sunlight and Saltwater:

The Keys to Algae’s SuccessScientists propose harnessing the desert’s abundant sunlight and proximity to saltwater sources, such as the nearby Mediterranean Sea, to facilitate the growth of algae. Algae are renowned for their efficient photosynthetic process, during which they consume carbon dioxide and release oxygen, making them natural carbon sinks. In a world grappling with the consequences of climate change, the Sahara desert may emerge as an unlikely savior. Its vast, unforgiving landscape could become a bustling oasis of hope, where algae, the unsung heroes of the natural world, work tirelessly to mend the damage wrought by human activity. As we explore innovative solutions to secure our planet’s future, the Sahara’s potential as a carbon capture powerhouse reminds us that nature’s resilience knows no bounds.

In a world grappling with the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions, one company is looking to the unsung heroes of carbon removal: algae. Adam Taylor, CEO of UK-based start-up Brilliant Planet, believes that algae could hold the key to combating climate change. Algae play a crucial role in this endeavor, responsible for removing about half of all carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Brilliant Planet, with backing from venture capital and Innovate UK, the government’s innovation agency, is on a mission to boost this figure by replicating algae blooms on land. Their pioneering efforts are taking place in Akhfennir, a quiet coastal town nestled in the desert of southwest Morocco. Here, what was once a barren Saharan landscape now boasts vibrant green ponds teeming with life.

The Sahara’s Carbon-Slashing Algae Farms

The process begins by establishing large-scale algae cultivation facilities in the Sahara. These facilities would create controlled environments optimized for algae growth, providing the necessary sunlight and saltwater. As the algae flourish, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, effectively sequestering the greenhouse gas and reducing its concentration in the air.
Once the algae have matured, they are harvested and processed. The harvested biomass can serve a dual purpose: as a renewable energy source and as a method for carbon capture. The algae can be converted into biofuels through various processes, including fermentation and extraction of oils. These biofuels can then be used as a clean energy alternative to fossil fuels, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from traditional energy sources. The harvested algae is then dried and buried in the desert, effectively locking away carbon for thousands of years.

“From a technical perspective, it can’t rot,” says Mr. Taylor, the CEO of Brilliant Planet.
The resulting dried algae flakes are so dry, salty (up to 40% salt), and acidic that they can be described as “mummified” before being sealed in a semi-permanent “tomb.” This process also de-acidifies the seawater, which is returned to the ocean. However, the most intriguing aspect of this approach lies in the fate of the harvested algae. Instead of simply using them for energy production, Brilliant Planet has proposed to bury algae in depleted oil reservoirs that have been rendered unusable due to extraction activities. These reservoirs offer a natural repository for storing captured carbon dioxide, as they possess the geological conditions required for long-term carbon sequestration.

A Desert Mirage: Capturing Carbon’s Hidden Treasure

By depositing the algae biomass in these reservoirs, the buried organic matter effectively locks away the captured carbon dioxide underground. Over time, this process can lead to a net reduction in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, contributing to the global effort to mitigate climate change.
In their labs, Brilliant Planet conducts tests by burning the dried algae in a small furnace to determine the amount of carbon it stores. Remarkably, for every square meter of algae pond, they absorb as much carbon as 30 square meters of forest each year. As the world races against time to combat climate change, Brilliant Planet’s audacious endeavor in the Sahara demonstrates how nature’s unsung heroes, like algae, can play a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future for our plane

In the race against climate change, Brilliant Planet, a UK-based start-up, is setting its sights on an ambitious goal: to establish its first commercial site spanning 1,000 hectares by 2027, subject to further fundraising. This site alone could remove 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to the yearly emissions of approximately 20,000 Britons. While this may seem like a small contribution in the context of global emissions, Brilliant Planet believes there is vast potential. They have identified around 500,000 square kilometers of suitable land—roughly twice the size of the UK—that could potentially remove over three billion tons of carbon annually.

Balancing Innovation with Caution: The Importance of Carbon Removal Technologies
However, Dr. Ajay Gambhir, a senior researcher at Imperial College London, advises caution when adopting new technologies, emphasizing the importance of addressing unknown risks and ensuring scalability. He stresses the need for immediate and substantial reductions in emissions, as carbon removal technologies are not a panacea. One risk is that relying too heavily on carbon offsetting could make society complacent about reducing emissions from the source. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize emissions reduction while using carbon removal technologies as a complementary measure for particularly challenging sectors, such as aviation.

A Creative Intersection of Solutions

Brilliant Planet’s innovative approach to harnessing the power of algae highlights the urgency of addressing climate change. In conclusion, the proposal to cultivate and bury algae in the Sahara Desert to combat the climate crisis showcases a creative intersection of carbon capture, renewable energy generation, and land revitalization. While the approach is still in its early stages and requires further research and development, it holds promise as a viable solution that addresses multiple aspects of the global climate challenge.

About the Author:

Amber Jabeen, an MPhil graduate from Quaid I Azam University, Islamabad, possesses expertise in exploring solutions related to algae-derived innovations, specifically focused on addressing the challenges of climate change. With a deep interest in leveraging algae’s potential, she is dedicated to research and advocating for sustainable and impactful methods to mitigate the effects of climate change through innovative biological solutions.