“The New Climate Gold Rush: Scrubbing Carbon From the Sky” Article Reflection No. 120 (12/28/2024)

Article: “The New Climate Gold Rush: Scrubbing Carbon From the Sky”

Reflection:

The New York Times article “The New Climate Gold Rush: Scrubbing Carbon From the Sky” by Christopher Flavelle and David Gelles features the innovation and prospect of capturing carbon from the atmosphere, an industry with significant increases in investments especially over the past years. After discussing numerous companies’ willingness to reduce carbon emissions, the article also notes that the growing monetary investments will not remove significant amounts of carbon emissions from the atmosphere. Along with the large price tag that comes with removing each ton of carbon from the atmosphere—currently it can take $1,000 for capturing each ton of carbon, compared to the $100 each ton that is needed in order to boost the carbon capturing industry more into a reality—there is debate over its effectiveness, according to the article.

The ongoing pursuit for a better future through climate innovations is a source of hope because that endeavor in itself reflects positive intention, which is something that I think is often forgotten in this world of constant comparison, competition, and polarization. Like my dad said today during dinner, there may be so many discouraging stories on the news, but there are also so, so many people who are genuinely good and willing to help others. Those good intentions are what we should look for in each other and encourage in each other. There are too many people in this world to get to know every single individual, but if we come together with intention maybe we will be able to cater to the needs of those who are most marginalized and in most need of help.