Five key considerations for advancing ocean CDR from top ocean scientists

Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) has been a hot topic lately, as many sustainability experts look beyond reducing greenhouse gas emissions for mitigating climate change.

Propeller recently hosted our first Hackathon around ocean-based CDR at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI). The event brought together researchers from the broader scientific community at WHOI to brainstorm about potential CDR obstacles and solutions.

“This is an opportunity to explore a new way of doing things, and make a huge impact.” – Dr. Matt Long

We welcomed guest speakers from three focal areas of ocean CDR to lay the foundation for our discussions. Mónica Larrazábal Álvarez-Guerra, an MBA candidate at MIT, opened with a talk on the market size of ocean CDR. Next we heard from Mallory Ringham, Lead Oceanographer and Head of MRV at Ebb Carbon about potential opportunities for electrochemical carbon sequestration, followed by a discussion by Toby Dewhurst, hydrodynamics engineer and CEO of Kelson Marine, around aquaculture and seaweed. Cofounder and CTO at Planetary Technologies Greg Rau wrapped up the morning with an introduction to the company’s ocean alkalinity enhancement technology. Each of the speakers offered unique perspectives on the pain points in ocean CDR and provided valuable insights that helped guide our conversations.

The afternoon was devoted to brainstorming and problem-solving around effective ocean CDR solutions. 

Key considerations for advancing ocean CDR:

1. Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is a crucial element in achieving net-zero emissions, and ocean CDR can play a significant role in this effort (IPCC AR6).
2. To be effective, carbon capture solutions need to ensure permanent carbon storage for at least 1,000 years.
3. Ocean CDR solutions must demonstrate the ability to scale to reach affordability and meet the standard of $100 per ton of CO2 removed to be cost-competitive.\
4. Monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) will be critical in ensuring the effectiveness and credibility of ocean CDR solutions.
5. The ecological impacts of ocean CDR activities must be carefully considered, including potential effects on deep-sea ecosystems, ocean acidification, and seaweed cultivation.

Looking forward

This ocean CDR Hackathon was not just about coming up with innovative solutions; it also served to strengthen a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about the health of our ocean. 

Propeller is committed to supporting sustainable practices and innovative solutions that promote the health of our oceans. The CDR Hackathon was just one example of how we are working to create a brighter future for our waters — and our planet. We believe that by bringing together the best and brightest minds in the industry, we can make significant progress towards a more sustainable future.

We are always looking for future narwhals that will drive our mission to support the blue economy forward. If you are a founder or startup looking to get involved with our next hackathon or other Propeller-affiliated events, we encourage you to follow us on LinkedIn and apply by pitching us.