In the prairies of Alberta, a forest of mechanical ‘trees’ is reaching towards the sky. But these aren’t ordinary trees – they’re cutting-edge machines designed to pull CO2 directly out of the air.

Developed by Canadian company Carbon Engineering, these direct air capture (DAC) plants use giant fans to draw air through a chemical solution that captures CO2. The process is like photosynthesis in overdrive, with each unit capable of removing up to one ton of CO2 per day.

But what happens to all that captured carbon? That’s where things get really interesting. Carbon Engineering has developed processes to turn the captured CO2 into ultra-low carbon fuels, or to permanently store it underground.

The company is now working on building its first large-scale commercial plant, which aims to capture up to 1 million tons of CO2 annually – equivalent to the work of 40 million trees. While not a silver bullet for climate change, this technology offers a promising tool in our fight against rising CO2 levels.

As Canada pushes towards its net-zero emissions goal, these artificial trees could play a crucial role in balancing out hard-to-abate emissions from industries like aviation and heavy manufacturing. It’s a homegrown solution that’s capturing global attention in the race to combat climate change.

Off the coast of Scotland, beneath the swirling waters of the Pentland Firth, a revolution in renewable energy is quietly unfolding. Welcome to MeyGen, the world’s largest tidal stream power project.

Developed by Simec Atlantis Energy, MeyGen harnesses the power of the tides using submerged turbines that look like underwater windmills. As the tide flows in and out, it turns these turbines, generating clean, predictable electricity.

What makes tidal power so exciting is its reliability. Unlike wind or solar, which depend on weather conditions, tides are constant and predictable. This means tidal power can provide a steady baseload of renewable energy to complement more variable sources.

The MeyGen project is currently powering thousands of homes in Scotland, and there are plans to expand it significantly. The full potential of the site could see it generating enough electricity for 175,000 homes.

But the impact of this project goes beyond just clean energy. It’s creating green jobs, boosting the local economy, and positioning the UK as a world leader in tidal energy technology. As other countries look to harness their own tidal resources, they’re turning to British expertise to lead the way.

This underwater power plant is showing the world that when it comes to renewable energy, there are still exciting frontiers to explore – and some of the most promising lie beneath the waves.

Off the wild Atlantic coast of Ireland, farmers are tending to an unusual crop. But these aren’t ordinary fields – they’re underwater seaweed farms that could revolutionize sustainable agriculture.

Irish company Sea6 Energy is pioneering large-scale seaweed cultivation using innovative deep-sea farming techniques. Their automated SeaCombine machine can seed, harvest, and replant vast areas of ocean, turning it into a productive farm without the need for land, freshwater, or fertilizers.

But why seaweed? This fast-growing sea plant is a powerhouse of sustainability. It absorbs CO2 as it grows, helping to combat ocean acidification. It can be used as a nutritious food source for humans and animals, as a natural fertilizer, and even as a raw material for bioplastics and biofuels.

One of the most exciting applications is using seaweed extracts as a bio-stimulant for land crops. These extracts can improve crop yields and resistance to pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

As Ireland seeks to meet its climate goals while supporting its agricultural sector, seaweed farming offers a promising solution. It’s creating new green jobs in coastal communities, providing sustainable products for various industries, and helping to restore marine ecosystems.

This innovative approach to farming is showing that sometimes, the answers to our land-based problems can be found in the sea. As the world grapples with food security and sustainable agriculture, Ireland’s seaweed farms are pointing the way to a greener, bluer future.