Keeling Curve

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Project Summary / Description:

Global warming is heading towards catastrophic levels, with extreme temperatures becoming more frequent and intense. To mitigate this, it is critical to restore atmospheric CO2 levels to historically safe levels, below 300 parts per million (ppm), as today's levels have risen to an alarming 424 ppm. Achieving this would require the removal of approximately one trillion tons of CO2 from the atmosphere by 2050.
NATURE HAS DONE IT AND SO CAN WE
Historical data from glacial periods suggest that nature has successfully removed such large amounts of CO2 before, particularly during ice ages. The "iron hypothesis of ice ages" explains that an increase in iron-rich dust from deserts into the ocean leads to significant CO2 reduction. This natural process hinges on the idea that iron stimulates phytoplankton growth in iron-deficient ocean areas. Phytoplankton, through photosynthesis, absorbs large amounts of CO2, which could help reduce atmospheric CO2 levels.
Scientists have attempted to replicate this natural CO2 removal process through a method known as Ocean Iron Fertilization (OIF). This involves intentionally adding small amounts of iron to the ocean surface to promote phytoplankton blooms. Between 1992 and 2012, thirteen (13) OIF field trials were conducted, demonstrating some potential, though the results were inconsistent due to the small scale and short duration of these experiments. 
Despite the potential of OIF, no large-scale, long-term trial has yet been conducted. However, the accelerating pace of global warming has renewed interest in this approach, with at least 12 new OIF projects now in development globally. 
We are developing an OIF Pilot Project in the Philippines, where conditions are ideal. The goals for this project are:
1) Demonstrate that ocean-based OIF with CO2 measurement is feasible: practically, financially, and socially.
2) Optimize nutrient distribution.
3) Maximize immediate CO2 removal in the downwelling eddy.
4) Show how to measure, optimize, and publicize the fishery benefits of OIF.
5) Continue CO2 monitoring to quantify longer-duration sequestration. 

We are planning an initial test of the measuring equipment off the shores of California. The equipment includes buoys and sensors that collect and transmit data via a satellite network.
The goals for this test are:
1) Validate the buoys, dev kits & buoy positioning in sea conditions.
2) Validate tracking & data collection (buoy position, CO2 levels, wind data).
3) Create a data collection protocol for the Philippines OIF Pilot project.

The test includes:
1) Purchase and assemble 3 sets of buoys and sensors.
2) Set up the software, satellite communication, and tracking.
3) Deploy the buoys 60-100 miles off the coast of California.
4) Track the buoys and collect the data for 30 days.
5)) Collect the buoys from the ocean.
6) Write a test report with best practices and data collection protocol to be delivered to the Philippines OIF Pilot project team.

We intend to launch the test in Q1 or Q2 of 2025.

How Project Affects Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions:

['Removes/stores GHGs (e.g., projects that capture, sequester, or otherwise enhance the "sinks" that accumulate and store GHGs)']

Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

As mentionde above, one of our programs is the Climate Restoration Alliance: People, NGOs, Corporations, First Nations and Faith Leaders are committing to restore the climate by 2050. As a part of this program, we are recruiting Climate Restoration Ambassadors, which include First Nation leaders, representative from climate vulnerable communities, women, people of color and youth.