Cquestrate: A solution to climate change

• Mar. 19 by Kirsty Booth (0)

Birmingham researchers have hopes of using limestone to reverse the effects that CO2 emissions have had on climate change.

Birmingham Recycled caught up with Chris Unitt, the web creator for Cquestrate’s project, to find out more.

Chris explained:

“The idea is to break down large quantities of limestone and submerge it into the ocean. The limestone reacts with carbon dioxide and absorbs it from the atmosphere, helping to reverse the effects it has on climate change.”

This seemingly simple idea sounds like the answer to all of our environmental problems, the breakthrough in technology that we have all been waiting for, so I asked Chris, “what’s the catch?” And so, he began to point out the pros and cons of this promising proposal:

” The first thing the project  needs to consider is the possible effects the limestone may have on marine life, we don’t want to set out with good intentions for it to have the adverse effect on what we’re aiming to achieve. For this reason, there is still research taking place throughout the UK, for example in the Portsmouth University marine department”

The idea was first suggested back in 1995 by a man called Haroon Kheshgi and research has continued to take place since, proving this is an economic and necessary proposal. Research has been funded by the company Shell, who are keen to combat climate change. A spokesperson for Shell described this as a “promising idea, with potentially huge environmental benefits.”

Chris highlighted:

“The project aims to raise awareness as well as make environmental changes. We don’t want people to think they don’t have to keep up their energy efficient practises. Prevention is always better than cure.”

So, watch this space, Cquestrate could be the technological miracle we have all been waiting for.