we have to fight climate change. different companies are adopting a range of strategies across the board to fight our carbon emissions. it’s the single biggest cause of a hotter, warmer planet.

one of those pathways to fight climate change is enhanced rock weathering.

imagine if we rock dust could pull pull carbon dioxide (co₂) from the atmosphere and help cool the planet? this is enhanced rock weathering (erw). but before we understand erw, let’s talk about natural rock weathering.

what is rock weathering?

weathering is the natural process where rain, wind, and time slowly break down rocks. over millions of years, this process has helped regulate earth’s climate. when certain types of rocks, like basalt and other silicate-rich minerals, break down, they react with the co₂ in rainwater, trapping the carbon in a stable form. this eventually washes into rivers and oceans, where it’s stored for thousands of years.

now, imagine speeding up this process. how, you ask?

by crushing these rocks into tiny dust and spreading them on farmland. that’s erw. the small rock particles react with co₂ much faster than they would as big boulders, helping to remove carbon from the air in just a few years instead of thousands.

oh, and by a happy quirk of nature, this basalt rich rock dust helps improve agricultural yield and acts as a natural nutrient for the soil. that’s mother nature’s way of helping us 😊

why does this matter?

we humans are releasing way too much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels. this excess co₂ traps heat and is causing global temperatures to rise, leading to extreme weather, rising sea levels, and disruptions to ecosystems worldwide.

cutting emissions is crucial. we must help develop technologies that don’t stop progress that comes with these emissions. another strategy is to also actively remove co₂ that’s already in the air. this is where erw comes in. it’s one of the most promising methods of carbon dioxide removal (cdr) because it is:

• scalable: we can apply it on large farmlands without requiring new infrastructure.

• durable: once the carbon is locked away, it stays there for thousands of years.

• beneficial for the soil: it improves soil health and increases crop yields by adding essential minerals, making it a win-win for farmers.

how does this work in the real world?

let’s say a farm in the midwest wants to try erw. here’s what would happen:

1. mining & crushing the rock – basalt rock is mined, then crushed into a fine powder, like flour.

2. spreading on farmland – farmers spread this rock dust across their fields, just like they would with fertilizers.

3. reaction with rain & co₂ – when rainwater mixes with the rock powder, a chemical reaction occurs, capturing co₂ from the air.

4. long-term storage – the carbon gets locked into the soil and eventually washes into rivers and oceans, where it remains for millennia.

ERW in action: a real-world example

a groundbreaking project using erw is already happening in darjeeling, india. here, a company called altcarbon has successfully delivered its first carbon credits using this method. by partnering with local farmers, altcarbon is removing co₂ from the atmosphere while improving soil quality and crop productivity—helping both the environment and the agricultural community.

this project is an example of how erw can be scaled worldwide. imagine millions of farms around the globe adopting this technique—it could remove gigatons of co₂ from the atmosphere over the coming decades.

why this is a game-changer for climate action

many climate solutions focus on reducing emissions, which is critical. but we also need to remove past emissions to bring atmospheric co₂ back to safe levels. erw is an attractive solution because it works alongside nature instead of against it. plus, it doesn’t require expensive new technology—just rocks, soil, and time.

by supporting projects like altcarbon’s erw initiative, we can turn ordinary farms into powerful climate solutions. and the best part? we can start today.

what can you do?

1. spread the word – share knowledge about erw with friends and family. the more people know about it, the more support it can get.

2. support carbon removal initiatives – companies like altcarbon are pioneering erw projects, and they need public and investor backing.

3. advocate for climate policy – governments can accelerate erw adoption through funding and incentives for farmers.

   
   

the bottom line

the fight against climate change needs every tool available. enhanced rock weathering is a simple yet powerful solution that not only removes carbon but also improves soil and food production. it’s time to scale up this approach and put nature’s own carbon-removal system to work—before it’s too late.