Muhammad Saeed’s Post

Synthetic, Photosynthetic, and Chemical Strategies to Enhance #Carbon #Dioxide Fixation by Supriyo Ray et al. C 2022, 8(1), 18; https://lnkd.in/dkUhDaG9 Current number of article views/citations: 4202/4 Abstract The present human population is more than three times what it was in 1950. With that, there is an increasing demand for the consumption of fossil fuels for various anthropogenic activities. This consumption is the major source of carbon dioxide emission causing greenhouse effects leading to global warming. The dependency on fossil fuels around the globe is such that it would be hard to move away from it any time soon. Hence, we must work on strategies to improve carbon dioxide fixation as we are making advancements in clean energy technology. This review explores the natural carbon dioxide fixation pathways in plants and various microorganisms and discusses their limitations and alternative strategies. It explains what necessitates the exploration of synthetic pathways and discusses strategies and matrices to consider while evaluating various pathways. This review also discusses the recent breakthroughs in the field of nanosciences that could accelerate chemical methods of carbon dioxide fixation. Keywords: #rubisco; #cyanobacteria; C4 pathway; CAM; acetogens; diatoms; #nanoparticles; syngas; dinoflagellates; synthetic pathways

Capturing greenhouse gases with the help of light 🌱   Researchers at ETH Zürich are creating a novel technique to extract CO2 from the atmosphere. It has to do with molecules that, when exposed to light, get acidic. Compared to traditional methods, their innovative technique uses a lot less energy.   In a nutshell, where are we right now? ·        Researchers use light-reactive molecules to influence the acidity of a liquid and thereby capture of CO2. ·        They have developed a special mixture of different solvents to ensure that the light-reactive molecules remain stable over a long period of time. ·        Conventional carbon capture technologies are driven by temperature or pressure differences and require a lot of energy. This is no longer necessary with the new light-based process.   If you want to know more how sunlight helps us to achieve our climate objectives, then check out ETH’s article below. 👇 https://lnkd.in/gyiyKzkM    #carbonneutral #carbonneutrality #climatechange #environment #eth #research #schweiz #science #suisse #sustainability #switzerland #technology

This week UH Today shared “Research Advances Toward Goal of Net Zero Carbon Emissions”. Scientists may be on the verge of taking a big step closer to the net-zero carbon emissions goal, thanks to University of Houston research into algae. Hidden potential is being revealed in the major algae studies at the microbial products lab, located at UH at Sugar Land. Venkatesh Balan, associate professor of engineering technology in UH’s Cullen College of Engineering’s Division of Technology, leads a UH research into the double superpowers of algae and fungus – helping to reverse Earth’s global warming and create new food sources for humans. Read More “Research Advances Toward Goal of Net Zero Carbon Emissions” https://lnkd.in/dfMBZdJA #biotech #biotechnology #globalwarming #carbonemissions #UH #uhatsugarland

Imagine if just 0.5% of the world's plant matter contributed to 50% of the Earth’s oxygen. This is quite literally the reality on Earth. Recent research led by University of Southampton unveiled insights into how minute marine bacteria manage limited iron resources to drive photosynthesis, highlighting their massive role in global carbon cycles. Prochlorococcus (cyanobacteria), the smallest known photosynthetic organism, not only punches far above its weight in oxygen production but also fixes carbon on a scale equivalent to the world’s entire agricultural output annually. This dual capacity for oxygen production and carbon fixation positions microalgae as critical players in addressing global warming. The study reveals that Prochlorococcus uses a unique protein, FutA, to manage iron—a critical nutrient in short supply in ocean environments but essential for photosynthesis. The ability of FutA to bind iron in two forms illustrates a sophisticated adaptation that supports both the uptake of iron and the protection of photosystems, enhancing the bacterium's efficiency and survival in nutrient-poor waters. The efficiency of microalgae in transforming CO2 into oxygen can be harnessed to develop advanced solutions aimed at mitigating climate change - exactly what we do at BlueGreen Water Technologies. Investing in technologies that utilize microalgae could revolutionize our approach to carbon capture and removal. The potential of microalgae in our fight against climate change is immense, and it’s time we amplify our efforts to tap into this under-explored resource. The future is microscopic, and it holds the key to some of our biggest environmental challenges. #CO2 #climatechange #microalgae

It may be that the next coming years are our last chance to save our planet. However the hopes of a green future are becoming ever more attainable. Researchers are working tirelessly to develop novel technologies to defend our planet, while striking a balance with modern living and consumerism. Enzymes are such an audacious technology willing to offer us a lifeline in their potential to decrease CO2 emissions, reduce the carbon demand associated with chemical synthesis, reduce chemical usage and decrease the economic losses associated with global warming. Using enzymatic solutions will help against climate change significantly and will even be of benefit to the health of the planet and its biodiversity. Biosynth is proud to support green chemistry and work with customers looking to work sustainably. We have expanded our enzyme repertoire to provide sustainable enzyme products and solutions for industrial applications and offer the development of customized enzyme and biocatalysis solutions for your target application. Visit our enzyme webpage for more information on our smart enzyme solutions and biocatalysis services. https://lnkd.in/eqcmJH52 Read our slider below delving into the desperate need for a solution to climate change and how enzymes can achieve this. #enzymes #enzymesolutions #biocatalysis #greenchemistry #climatechange #globalwarming #sustainability

🌍 Nitrous Oxide Emissions Rising A new report published in Earth System Science Data has sounded the alarm on the unchecked rise of nitrous oxide emissions, primarily stemming from agricultural practices, posing severe threats to our planet's health. 🚨 According to the findings, nitrous oxide emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, have surged since 1980, with over 10 million metric tons released into the atmosphere in 2020 alone. 😱 These emissions, largely from the use of chemical fertilizers and animal waste in farming, contribute significantly to global warming and environmental degradation. 🌱🐄 The report underscores that agricultural activities accounted for a staggering 74% of human-driven nitrous oxide emissions in the 2010s. This worrisome trend is exacerbating climate change, depleting the ozone layer, and polluting soil, water, and air. 🌊🌾 Researchers stress the urgency of reducing nitrous oxide emissions, as current technologies cannot remove it from the atmosphere. Despite efforts in some regions, such as Europe, to curtail emissions, global levels continue to soar, with China, India, and the United States leading in emission production. 📈 While there's a glimmer of hope in improved agricultural practices and emission reduction policies, there's still much work to be done. 🌱🌍 Increased efforts are needed to monitor and mitigate high-emission regions and activities. Moreover, a deeper understanding of the ocean's role in nitrous oxide production is imperative, especially in the face of worsening climate change.  This report serves as a wake-up call to governments, industries, and individuals worldwide to prioritize sustainable practices and policies to curb nitrous oxide emissions and mitigate the looming environmental crisis. 🌎💚 Let's act now to safeguard our planet for future generations. 🌟 #ClimateAction #EnvironmentalHealth

𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗯𝗲! 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿   This winter, EBI hosted Professor Hamed Sanei for a three-part webinar series on the permanence of biochar.   The webinar series was based on the findings of 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗶 𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗹. 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰, which establishes that inertinite biochar has 𝗮 𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗳-𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝟭𝟬𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 in harsh conditions. This suggests that Biochar Carbon Removal (BCR) is a 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗹. Assessing biochar's permanence as a Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) method is crucial for determining its net long-term climate benefit and its effectiveness in combating climate change.   𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗧𝘂𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹.    For those who missed these discussions, we invite you to 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘂𝗽 𝗯𝘆 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗧𝘂𝗯𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄. 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟭 : Exploring the Natural Carbon Cycle: Disruptions and Remedies with a Focus on the Organic Carbon Cycle and its Connection to Biochars.    >> https://lnkd.in/dfM4s9JZ   𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟮: Carbon Stability in Biochars: Introducing Novel Proxies for Evaluating Carbon Stability, Quantifying Permanent Carbon Reservoirs.   >> https://lnkd.in/dJHNBcY2   The two sessions 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝟭𝟴𝟰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟭𝟰𝟲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 respectively. We thank everyone who attended the series, contributing to the discussion and advancing our collective understanding of biochar's permanence. Your participation is invaluable, and we look forward to further engagement in the future.   𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 titled “Optimizing Pyrolysis, Recipes for Enhanced Carbonization Efficiency” was held 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀. Its recording will be shared with the EBI members at a later stage.

The IPCC notes that there is no longer an emissions budget scenario left that allows the possibility of staying on a 1.5-2C pathway without greenhouse gas emissions reduction paired with CDR. Biochar is one of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change-endorsed CDR technologies. A recent report by the International Biochar Initiative (IBI) and the US Biochar Initiative (USBI) illustrates the soaring success of the global biochar market, which hit a market value milestone of $600 million in 2023, demonstrating a remarkable 91% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) production growth rate from 2021. This growth is a testament to biochar’s agronomic and climate change mitigation and adaptation co-benefits.

The U.S. Global Change Research Program has released their fifth #NationalClimateAssessment, highlighting the need to reduce GHG emissions in the #builtenvironment. Actions taken to date have primarily been minor and incremental. New, more transformative technologies and methods are required to avert the worst impacts of global #climatechange. Enter Prometheus Materials' zero-carbon #biocement and #bioconcrete. Composed of natural elements, our building materials both AVOID the carbon-intensive operations involved in manufacturing and transporting traditional cement and SEQUESTER embodied carbon from microalgae and biomineralization ... A true game-changer for the industry. 💪 See the highlights of the report: https://bit.ly/3S5Z6TO

New open-access paper ocean carbon dioxide uptake: DeVries, T. et al. 2023: Magnitude, trends, and variability of the global ocean carbon sink from 1985-2018, Global Biogeochem. Cycles, 37, e2023GB007780, https://lnkd.in/g7ZhmyFY Observation-based techniques estimate that the net transfer of carbon dioxide, CO2, from the atmosphere to the ocean, averaged over 1985–2018, is 1.6 billion tonnes of carbon per year, and that oceanic CO2 uptake is increasing by 0.61 billion tonnes of carbon per year each decade. Models say that most of this CO2 entering the ocean, and its increase over time, is driven by anthropogenic CO 2 emissions, which causes the ocean to take up 2.1–2.4 billion tonnes of carbon per year. There are some hints that climate change might be accelerating ocean carbon uptake, but the errors in our estimates are too large to know for sure right now.