Greenlandic glacial rock flour can help fight climate change

Glacial rock flour from Greenland has shown promising potential in capturing significant amounts of CO2 and enhancing crop growth, according to initial experiments. The fine powder, created as the Greenland Ice Sheet grinds the landscape, was spread on Danish fields in Southern Jutland. The studies revealed that the glacial rock flour can effectively capture CO2 through enhanced rock weathering, a process known for carbon removal. Additionally, it was found to improve crop yields, even outperforming standard organic fertilizers. Researchers estimate that by applying glacial rock flour to all agricultural land in Denmark, over 27 million tons of CO2 could be captured, equivalent to the country's annual emissions. The solution is considered scalable and environmentally favorable, as glacial rock flour requires no processing and is abundantly available in Greenland. However, the carbon footprint associated with transporting the material should be considered to ensure the overall carbon neutrality of its usage.