Ocean-based Carbon Dioxide Removal in the Northwest Atlantic

As the world looks for solutions to the climate crisis, some researchers are exploring methods of boosting the ocean's capacity to permanently remove and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. One of the marine carbon dioxide removal (MCDR) methods that has shown the most promise is ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE), a process that mimics the natural weathering of minerals from rocks. OAE allows the ocean to absorb more CO2 from the atmosphere and counteracts ocean acidification. Some small-scale OAE experiments have begun trials in the waters of the Gulf of Maine off Massachusetts and Atlantic Canada. Yet Maine-based organizations are only now beginning to look into this research and what it means for our coastal waters and traditional industries.

This introductory briefing is sponsored by Carbon to Sea, an organization evaluating the potential of OAE and other forms of MCDR. It will include remarks from two of their experts, David Keller, Director of Research and Technology who splits his time between Bangor and Hampden, Maine, and Miriam Zitner, their General Manager for Canada. They will be joined by Sarah Schumann, a commercial fisherman from Rhode Island and the Director of the Fishery Friendly Climate Action campaign. These experts will provide an overview of what MCDR and OAE activities are already happening in the Gulf of Maine, where this industry is headed, and how fishing communities in southern New England have reacted to and been included in this work.