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An international panel on the climate emergency hosted by the UN stated that carbon dioxide levels had reached a staggering 426 parts per million, 50% higher than before the Industrial Revolution. Without new technologies and a major shift in mindset, humanity will not be able to reach the UN’s previous goal set in 2020 of limiting warming to only 1.5 °C (or 2.7 °F) globally.
Meeting this goal may prove challenging, as it would necessitate some significant adjustments to how businesses and communities prioritize sustainable energy sources and rapid developments in carbon dioxide removal strategies. CDR is at the forefront of many climate preservation tactics.
One tactic that has gained traction at UCLA’s chemistry department surrounds Direct Air Capture (DAC), a method that pulls air through specialized polymers that capture CO2 molecules and separates them from other gases in the air. Unlike traditional mitigation strategies that aim to reduce future emissions, DAC systems focus on addressing the accumulated CO2 already driving weather abnormalities.
A newly developed project at UC Berkeley, led by chemistry professor Omar Yaghi, is especially promising. Yaghi’s research surrounds a groundbreaking ultra-porous material known as a covalent organic framework (COF) that could help tackle pressing global issues by lowering air pollution and absorbing carbon emissions that are contributing to the global warming crisis.
Zihui Zhou, a UC Berkeley graduate student and the lead author of the study’s latest research paper, noted the material’s exciting potential in an academic article released last October. “A mere 200 grams of the material can absorb as much CO₂ annually as a tree, making it a powerful tool for reversing devastating climate change trends,” Zhou said.
Yaghi and his team’s deliberate research paid off. Unlike previous iterations of carbon removal technologies, COF-999 is highly stable, enduring over 100 cycles of CO2 adsorption and filtration without fail. The basic process of COF-999 requires 2 main processes to be effective, the first of which is capturing fresh air, and separating carbon dioxide using organic filters that are sized at the molecular level to most effectively capture carbon.
The second portion of the process is where the CO2 is binded to the substance through a heating process that occurs at a relatively low temperature of 60 °C, or 140°F. The COF is then prepared to filter air once more. This characteristic makes it well-suited for deployment in diverse climates for long periods, provided it is paired with clean energy sources to maintain its temperature cycles.
Yaghi’s covalent organic framework is one of many recent breakthroughs in carbon capture spearheaded by California universities. Repairing the climate is a strenuous task, but solutions like Yaghi’s DAC framework are showcasing how the younger generations are shifting to an innovative and more actionable approach to addressing rising global emissions. Institutions like UC Berkeley are tackling this climate emergency, not only through research but also by fostering student involvement.
At the heart of these efforts is the Berkeley Climate Change Network (BCCN), a hub that connects over 300 environmentally-oriented groups, labs, and initiatives on campus. BCCN enables students to get involved in shaping their futures and mitigating the ongoing climate crisis.
Bruce Riordan, the BCCN director, said, “UC Berkeley ensures students have access to the necessary resources and mentors to help them turn ideas into full-scale projects.” Riordan said that student-led initiatives have recently gained traction in the community and are advocating for increased funding for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies, including direct air capture, as well as the promotion of sustainable energy alternatives across campus.
UC Berkeley is not only leading in science but also empowering the next generation to take actionable steps against the climate crisis through technology and demand for policy change. Riordan emphasizes that by empowering students with tools like the BCCN, universities can bridge the gap between academic research and making a real-world impact.
“With the Berkeley Climate Change Network’s resources, students are positioned to lead with their vision in mind,” Riordan said. He highlights that youth activism matters so much because it pushes boundaries, creates tension in the climate conversation and generates the necessary momentum to hopefully create a future where the planet can thrive.
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