Researchers with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have proved that carbon dioxide injected into basalt can be converted into rock within just two years, hundreds of years faster than originally expected.

Once the carbon dioxide has solidified into ankerite, it should remain locked up forever, proving that the technology works with a rock found around the world.

But CCS isn’t a cure-all. Earth only has a limited supply of basalt, and some experts fear the tech could slow down the transition to renewable energies.

Nevertheless, the Paris Climate Agreement requires that dirty industries are cleaned up fast and CCS may prove the best solution yet. 

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