CO2 emissions are a global problem. In 2023, up to 37 billion tons of carbon dioxide will be emitted into the atmosphere worldwide. And with each passing year the problem grows, despite all the warnings from experts about the consequences of this drift and the commitments made by rulers around the world.
If carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere remain at the levels of recent years, the planet will warm 1.5 degrees before 2030. This would mean a tragic culmination of the progressive rise that began with the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in end of the 18th century and continues to the present day.
The company Climeworks, whose business mission highlights the commitment to contributing to the reduction of emissions as an “absolute priority”, put the Orca plant into operation in September 2021. Its function is to collect as much carbon dioxide as possible to store it underground and transform it into rock. The facility consists of eight collection containers, with an annual capture capacity of 500 tons each, so each year the plant can collect up to 4,000 tons of CO2. It is the equivalent of the emissions of 900 gasoline cars.
Orca is located on the outskirts of Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland. This location was chosen because of its volcanic activity and the scarce industrial activity in the country, so its polluting emissions are minimal. The subsoil of the island is full of basalt and porous volcanic rocks, so they can perfectly store CO2.
Climaworks representative Bryndis Nielsen assures, however, that her company will not save the planet alone. It requires global awareness and the implementation of concrete actions collectively. “This plant helps reduce CO2, but we are not here to replace emissions reduction.”
