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Turning off the hose, learning to swim, and making the drain bigger - three ways to tackle climate change. Last Tuesday, we explored the latter at a symposium on marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR), the first meeting of a series jointly organised by the Sustainable Ocean Community and the . Experts, industry leaders, policymakers, and students gathered at NIOZ, Texel, to discuss the feasibility, challenges, and ethics of mCDR.

opened by framing mCDR’s feasibility: how to achieve 100 years of industrial development’s impact within a far shorter timeframe? He also underscored the need for public funding and a major research push to bridge knowledge gaps. and Sonja Geilert explained mCDR chemistry and its spatial variability, while Jos Philips raised essential questions on global justice and the impacts on communities.

In the second session, presented studies on mCDR's effects on calcifiers, with Cale Miller and showing how larval oysters respond to changes in alkalinity and trace elements. The discussion underscored the importance of realistic environmental impact assessments and monitoring. 

I think one of the biggest benefits was that it turned out to be a great networking opportunity. I know several people that made some good connections (e.g., established companies with startups and researchers; researcher-researcher connections).

With plenty of new ideas and a tour of the NIOZ facilities, participants left inspired on their way to the ferry, ready to join forces for the future of mCDR!