Turning Dust into Climate Action — How Crushed Rocks Can Cool the Planet.
We Have to Fight Climate Change. Different companies are adopting a range of strategies to fight carbon emissions — the single biggest cause of a hotter, warmer planet.
One of those pathways is enhanced rock weathering.
Imagine if rock dust could 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?
By crushing these rocks into tiny dust particles and spreading them on farmland. That’s ERW.
The small rock particles react with CO₂ much faster than 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 too much CO₂ into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels. This excess carbon traps heat, causing global temperatures to rise — leading to extreme weather, rising sea levels, and ecosystem collapse.
Cutting emissions is crucial. But we also need to develop technologies that allow progress without worsening the climate crisis.
Another strategy is to actively remove CO₂ that’s already in the air. That’s where ERW comes in.
Why ERW Stands Out
ERW is one of the most promising carbon dioxide removal (CDR) methods because it is:
- Scalable: It can be applied to large farmlands without requiring new infrastructure.
- Durable: Once the carbon is locked away, it stays there for thousands of years.
- Soil-Friendly: It improves soil health and crop yields by adding essential minerals — 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 happens:
- Mining & Crushing the Rock
Basalt is mined and crushed into a fine powder — like flour. - Spreading on Farmland
Farmers spread this dust across their fields, just like fertilizer. - Reaction with Rain & CO₂
Rainwater triggers a chemical reaction that captures CO₂ from the air. - Long-Term Storage
The carbon is locked into the soil, then washed 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 rural communities.
This project shows how ERW can be scaled globally. Imagine millions of farms adopting this technique — it could remove gigatons of CO₂ from the atmosphere in the coming decades.
Why This Is a Game-Changer for Climate Action
Most climate solutions focus on reducing emissions, which is essential. But we also need to remove past emissions to bring atmospheric CO₂ back to safe levels.
ERW is a standout solution because it works with nature — not against it. And it doesn’t require expensive new tech — 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?
- Spread the word – Talk about ERW with friends, family, and your network. Awareness creates momentum.
- Support carbon removal initiatives – Companies like AltCarbon are pioneering this work, and they need support.
- Advocate for climate policy – Governments can help accelerate ERW adoption through funding, education, and incentives for farmers.