Carbon removal schemes on farms could change Earth’s reflectivity

Carbon removal schemes on farms could change Earth’s reflectivity


Crushed rocks are spread over fields to absorb carbon dioxide from the air

SO-Photography/ Alamy

Using crushed rock dust to speed up the rate at which soil absorbs carbon dioxide can also affect climate by making the Earth’s surface reflect the Sun’s radiation more or less.

Enhanced rock weathering (ERW), as it is known, is increasing rapidly around the world as scientists and businesses look for ways to capture carbon from the atmosphere.

It involves sprinkling crushed volcanic rock, such as basalt, onto soil…