May 25, 2026 by Sophia Karrel (‘29)
When you aren’t actively enduring the sweltering midsummer heat, it can be easy to shove global warming in the back of your mind. However, regardless of the season, climate change remains a major threat to our planet. As more greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide, methane, and carbon dioxide are emitted into the atmosphere, average global temperatures continue to increase. This article will explore three out of the many recent technological advances and companies working to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
- Green Concrete
Green concrete is a more sustainable form of concrete that can reduce carbon dioxide emissions during production and reduce waste material. Standard concrete not only requires the burning of fossil fuels during production but also releases carbon dioxide as the rocks used to produce concrete are processed. Several forms of green concrete aim to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. One example is Limestone Calcined Clay Cement which could reduce standard cement emissions by 40%. Because this clay cement is produced at lower temperatures, it requires fewer fossil fuels. Second, supplementary cement mixes use byproducts from steel production and coal power plants. This prevents more waste from ending up in landfills and reduces the amount of traditional cement needed. Lastly, recycled aggregate concrete integrates materials from demolished buildings which limits the need for quarried rocks and reduces landfill waste.
- Green Ammonia
Standard ammonia is used in a variety of products, including household cleaners, industrial refrigerants, and most prominently, fertilizers. However, ammonia’s mass production poses an environmental concern due to the quantity of carbon dioxide released during manufacturing. As stated by ScienceInsights, conventional ammonia results in 450 million tons of carbon dioxide emitted every year, while green ammonia has the potential to reduce these emissions by up to 90%. Green ammonia reduces carbon dioxide emissions by sourcing the hydrogen needed for production more sustainably. Instead of utilizing hydrogen produced using fossil fuels, green ammonia uses hydrogen created through the electrolysis of water; the process of splitting water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen with electrical energy.
- Climeworks and Carbfix
The companies Climeworks and Carbfix are attempting to develop systems designed to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Climeworks’ Direct Air Capture technology captures carbon dioxide from the air using solid sorbent structures. The carbon dioxide is then released, collected, and stored. From there, Carbfix mixes the carbon dioxide with water and injects it deep underground where it reacts with basaltic rock and eventually mineralizes into stone. While these companies are still in the early stages of development, they demonstrate how innovation could play a major role in addressing climate change.
Sources:
What Is Green Concrete? The Eco-Friendly Alternative – ScienceInsights
What Is Green Ammonia? Production, Uses, and Costs – ScienceInsights