E1122 Running Tide's Marty Odlin is helping solve the Climate crisis by storing carbon in kelp

TL;DR

Running Tide is a company that focuses on carbon sequestration by utilizing filter feeders like oysters, scallops, clams, and kelp to absorb excess carbon from the atmosphere and store it in the ocean floor.

Transcript

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Key Insights

• 💱 Permanent carbon removal from the atmosphere is crucial to combating climate change effectively.
• ❣️ The ocean provides a vast potential for carbon sequestration through filter feeders like oysters, scallops, clams, and kelp.
• 🥘 Consumer demand for low-carbon food options, such as shellfish, is growing, creating a market for innovative companies like Running Tide.
• 💱 A combination of behavioral change, carbon capture, and carbon sequestration efforts is necessary to address climate change comprehensively.
• 😘 Collaboration between governments, corporations, and startups is crucial to accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy.
• 🪛 While financial support for carbon sequestration is currently driven by voluntary markets, government involvement may become necessary to scale up efforts.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Running Tide's process of carbon sequestration work?

Running Tide hatches kelp and other filter feeders in a hatchery, then deposits them in the ocean where they grow and absorb carbon. After reaching maturity, they sink naturally to the ocean floor and sequester the carbon.

Q: How many filter feeders are needed for an individual to become carbon neutral?

The number of filter feeders required to achieve carbon neutrality depends on an individual's carbon footprint. On average, an American would need approximately 100 stocks to achieve carbon neutrality.

Q: How does Running Tide plan to fund its operations?

Currently, Running Tide operates in the voluntary market, where environmentally conscious companies invest in carbon sequestration efforts. In the future, they may explore funding options such as carbon credits or government support.

Q: What impact can carbon sequestration through filter feeders have on climate change?

Carbon sequestration through filter feeders helps remove excess carbon from the atmosphere, reducing the greenhouse gas effect and mitigating the impact of climate change. It provides an effective way to combat rising temperatures, ocean acidification, and other climate-related issues.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Running Tide is a startup that aims to combat climate change by using filter feeders as a means of carbon sequestration.

• The company focuses on oysters, scallops, clams, and kelp, which absorb carbon from the atmosphere and store it in the ocean floor.

• Their innovative approach involves deploying these organisms in their natural habitats and allowing them to grow and sink to the ocean bottom, effectively removing carbon from the air.