The ocean is like a giant sponge, storing sixteen times as much carbon as all the plants on the planet. Technologies are now emerging that use the ocean to actively remove CO2 from the air and help maintain planetary temperature. But how do you communicate the issues, the complex chemistry and the scale to people in coastal communities who will be impacted by these technologies?
Video explaining two marine carbon removal (CDR) approaches: ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) and direct ocean removal (DOR).
That was the challenge we were set by The Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal and [C]Worthy, a non profit organisation dedicated to accelerating ocean-based climate solutions and their partner the American University's Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal. They wanted our help to communicate ocean-based carbon dioxide removal strategies to engage people at a series of in-person workshops in US and Canadian coastal communities.
These sketches were created to show volumes of limestone chips and volume of carbon dioxide that could be removed from the atmosphere with successful large-scale ocean alkalinity enhancement.
This film was made over the summer months of 2025 with invaluable CGI assistance from Jon Feuell. The live action scene shot on Holcombe beach, Devon with Director Adam Nieman, actor Rosalind Moreno-Parra, cameraman Will Hodges and general assistant Antony Turner. The plinth and one gallon glass cube were made by Antony Turner and James McHardy.
Further information from [C]Worthy and the Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal.