This March, Climate Cleanup with partners like Oceanus International and Climate Foundation sets sail to actually sink carbon in the Caribbean, turning the problem of sargassum seaweed into an innovative climate solution. After four years of feasibility study we now think this is indeed feasible, and now need to find out what the possible positive and negative effects on marine ecosystems are. Does sinking seaweed feed other ocean life? How much carbon can be stored?
Sargassum grows over the Atlantic because of fertiliser runoff and climate change, often at stretches the size of a continent. The Yucatán coast of Mexico is the place where much of the seaweed beaches, causing huge issues for both humans (species: homo touristus) and other life. The basis of this field pilot is our finding that 95% of sargassum seaweed sinks to the ocean floor anyway. So our question is, what are the effects of enhanced sinking? Working with nature and combining scientific disciplines, we have now reasons to suspect that the carbon will be sequestered also geochemically, providing a very long term carbon removal pathway.
Are you interested in funding this fundamental research effort? The field pilot will cost about €15.000. Investing in potential (pre-purchase) removal credits is an option, and as a Founding Funder you are warmly invited to join these research and deployment efforts. Contact us to learn more.
BambooLogic Field Update
Working to store carbon with nature means constant adaptation. Last year, BambooLogic had a lot of rain in the Alcoutim region and this has benefited growth last year. The plants are producing shoots up to one and a half metres from the plant and more than two metres tall. Slowly but surely, a bamboo forest is emerging; economically and ecologically profitable.
The past few years however have been extremely dry and the planting had to be adapted to the water supply. During periods when there was no rainfall for more than six months, the boreholes proved inadequate. Optimisation of the water supply solved this problem. Watch the video to learn more, and read more at BambooLogic’s news page.
Bamboo forest in Alcoutim, Portugal – Video still: BambooLogic. Click to see video.
Help Dutch farmer Jeroen van Steen donate his land to the commons
Farmer Jeroen van Steen gives his farmland back to the earth. For a healthier society and a more equal society. “The sky and sun belong to everyone. Why is the earth divided into compartments? That’s actually quite weird,” says former dairy farmer Jeroen van Steen. “I own land because I have been lucky in my life. The luck that I was allowed to take over my parents-in-law’s farm. The luck that I have a body that can work hard. The huge increase in land prices is not to my credit. It did give me a lot. That’s not right. That only widens the disparities in society. I thought: what can I do myself to change the system?”
Donating land however is not that straightforward, and to give away land quite substantial costs have to be made. Although this project is not (directly) connected to Climate Cleanup Foundation, we wholeheartedly support Jeroen and this movement. We can now help make it happen for Thuishaven, a beautiful place in Flevoland. Be sure to watch the video. And if it appeals to you, please donate.
Iris Bens and Jeroen van Steen at ‘Thuishaven’
Veenmakers teams with Natuurmonumenten to restore peatlands with groundbreaking storage method
In the Dutch nature reserve De Wieden, the team of Restore Carbon is working together with Natuurmonumenten to use mowed wetland vegetation to store carbon. The plant material, rich in carbon, is collected and injected into the soil, effectively storing CO₂ and restoring the peat. It’s a promising example of how natural processes can be enhanced to address climate breakdown. Read more at Natuurmonumentenand at the project page on the ONCRA registry.
De Barsbekerbinnenpolder, Overijssel – Image Natuurmonumenten
Nature-based removals positive exception in struggling carbon markets
Carbon markets are one way to finance carbon removal with nature, and thus the transition from a fossil to regenerative society. With Oncra, Climate Cleanup tries to bring trust in markets, although we believe most in the role of governments to pay for removal (and thus work closely with the EU CRCF). Currently however, voluntary carbon markets can play a role in funding the transition, so we are happy to share positive news regarding nature-based removal, exactly the field where Oncra works.
Market analysts at Allied Offsets’ published their 2024 recap report, which shows a market-wide shift toward higher-quality credits. One of the conclusions is that the market of ‘NBS removals’ was the only one with more “offtake deals than ever” – proving the potential market for Oncra removal units. Read more…
Gijs Tolmeijer, new Oncra team member
Hello everyone! I’m Gijs, and I am excited to share that I’ve recently joined the Oncra team at Climate Cleanup! With an academic background in entrepreneurship and sustainability, I’m passionate about focusing on climate solutions rather than problems. My primary goal is to help streamline and professionalize our processes, making the journey as seamless and efficient as possible for all carbon removers. In addition, I’ll be working on the boundary conditions for Oncra to grow, and thus amplify our impact.
I’m eager to connect and collaborate—whether you have ideas, suggestions, or just want to chat, feel free to reach out. Let’s work together to take our impact to the next level!
Join our Whatsapp / Signal groups
Did you know we have two app-groups connecting the Climate Cleanup network? An English and a Dutch one. Join them by clicking here (EN) or here (NL), or scan the QR codes below. As we transition towards Signal, please follow the groups after joining to migrate soon.
