Episodes
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The goal is to limit the eye stabbing
What responsibility do we have for our ideas once they leave us? The assignment of moral blame usually stops close to the source since true attribution is hard, e.g. how much responsibility does Friedrich Nietzsche have for the Nazis? Open question, though it doesn’t strike most of us as fair…
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I am a termite, and the termites are winning.
A confession from someone who works on power grid connections for large emitters, and who has watched low-level regulators quietly close off the routes that new gas plants need to connect unless they include CCS. No announcement, no press release. Just minor changes to grid codes and guidances...
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Somebody here needs to say this before an investigative journalist does. I’d rather it be one of us.
Today's submission is about why perhaps less scrutiny is shown to artisanal biochar than industrial, and how that actually may be harmful to these artisanal biochar project developers. Will dMRV providers notice? But first... Is this a diary? I intended for Climate Workers Anonymous to be a…
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Hype and a gold rush followed by contraction and consolidation
When is your startup’s failure your fault? Saying your startup failed because of macroeconomic conditions is a bit like saying your marriage failed because being married is hard. Yes, but is that really all the analysis you’ve got handy? It can’t all be the business cycle and macroeconomics…
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It feels like there’s nobody to celebrate with if the whole industry is hurting
Things are going poorly for you? That’s too bad, because I’m having a grand ol’ time. Are you subscribed to Climate Workers Anonymous? Do so now to listen in and read whenever a new edition is released and support this fledgling collective art project. Welcome to Climate Workers Anonymous, where...
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A skeleton crew whose sole remaining purpose is to invoice their two repeat customers, post thought leadership on LinkedIn, and attend conference dinners holding court as the "buyer"
It’s easy to dunk on LinkedIn. There are times when I will polish every word of a post that points to a deep yearning for our labor in climate to feel spiritually meaningful, and for that yearning not to be corrupted by commercial pressures of sucking up to companies whom our conscience commands…
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I should have used my retirement funds for retirement instead of assuming the future of our planet is of interest to its inhabitants
There’s a Tom Waits line I had thought was from his VH1 Story Tellers album (though I can’t find the exact moment now) where he discusses that a rooster will wait until one is between sung phrases to crow. In my memory, it was about his song “Chocolate Jesus”. The point being—sometimes art...
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The ruthless executive, cut-throat trader, corrupt politician... even the squanderer of tomorrow
Welcome to Climate Workers Anonymous, where those working in climate share their anonymous and unverified experiences, feelings, and analysis about their labor. Today’s show has submissions covering both the highs and the lows. But even in saying that, I wonder if I start to cross my own…
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Maybe CDR is a good decision that just feels bad right now.
Welcome to Climate Workers Anonymous, where those who work in climate get to share their anonymous and unverified feelings, experiences, and analysis. Today’s episode has two longer pieces that were submitted. Before I get into those, I wanted to share an additional reflection about the origins…
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The denial of grief plays a central role in the work
Welcome to episode #4 of Climate Workers Anonymous, where those workers in climate can share their anonymous and unverified thoughts, feelings, and experiences about their work. What do you dare to think when you might not be judged for it? What’s your heretical thought, your foolish hope, or…
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"I do believe deep down that society will one day achieve net-negative emissions"
Warning: these submissions are anonymous and unverified. We’ve barely even started Climate Workers Anonymous and I’m already receiving such challenging and intriguing pieces of feedback, and so many submissions. Thank you to everyone who has participated to date and taken time to share something...
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"the company I work at is going to fail and the founder is in denial about it"
Warning: these submissions are anonymous and unverified. Today we have thirteen(!) submissions to read that cover despair, rage, and other feelings about working climate that the authors could not say aloud. The intro to this show also explains why this project isn't an act of investigative...
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"Science as a shroud for ruthless profiteering"
Here it is: the first show with anonymous submissions to Climate Workers Anonymous. In this episode there are six short thoughts (or four depending upon whether technology has its say), and one longer one. There are big thoughts and analysis. There are feelings of dread and hope. Listen in for...
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Welcome to Climate Workers Anonymous
Welcome to the first episode of Climate Workers Anonymous. If you are listening on your usual podcast app, you might notice that the old feed for Carbon Removal Newsroom has been officially repurposed for this new project. I started Carbon Removal Newsroom a very long time ago. My name is Ross...
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Myles Gray on the US Biochar Initiative's 2023 Global Biochar Market Report
So much is happening in the world of biochar. It's both a physical product and can also be a more abstract concept called a "carbon removal". How is the industry balancing the divergent business logic of these two different markets, and what challenges and opportunities will it face? In today's...
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Gabrielle Walker on the State of Corporate Carbon Removal Demand
Everyone used to say carbon removal was supply-constrained. Now everyone says it is demand-constrained. So which is it? Today's show has Dr. Gabrielle Walker, Co-Founder of the carbon removal marketplace CUR8 and the Founder of Rethinking Removals, an NGO working to change the conventional...
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The Carbon Removal XPRIZE Announces Their 20 Finalists
The XPRIZE remains one of the top stories in carbon removal and one of the largest funding sources for CDR start-ups. The Elon Musk-backed competition will award $50 million to the winning CDR startup in 2025 and send $10 million to three other runner-up teams. Over 1000 teams worldwide have...
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The Carbon Dioxide Removal Gap
Lots of news in carbon removal this past week! Frontier made their largest-ever purchase of $58 million from relatively new BiCRS company Vaulted Deep, Climeworks unveiled their Mammoth facility in Iceland, and Microsoft purchased 3.3 million tons of CO2 from BECCs in Sweden. These deals…
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Carboneers: Biochar in India and Ghana
Biochar is an increasingly global carbon removal pathway. What does it look like to do business in Ghana and India? What does it mean for biochar to be decentralized? Mart de Bruijn is the Co-Founder and Director of Carboneers, a Dutch biochar company working to implement carbon removal solutions...
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Carbon Gap and CDR Policy in Europe
Europe has a lot happening for carbon removal, and on several different levels. What is the state of CDR policy and industry? Today's episode has Nori's VP of Supply and Methodology, Radhika Moolgavkar, on hosting duties, and Sylvain Delerce, the Associate Research Direct of Carbon Gap, joining…
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SBTi, Scope 3, and Carbon Removal
The Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) recently came out and announced they would be issuing guidance for how some carbon offsets may be used to address Scope 3 emissions (activities beyond direct business operations and energy). This set off a firestorm of protest within and outside of…
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How Far Behind Is the World on CDR Policy?
Carbon removal is sometimes thought to be enjoying policy tailwinds. But is it anywhere close to what we need to avoid the worst of climate change? A new report from the Rhodium Group suggests the CDR industry is receiving about 1% of what it would need to reach a one CO2 gigatonne/year capacity!...
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How InPlanet is Growing ERW
InPlanet is an enhanced weathering company spreading rock dust on agricultural fields to draw down CO2. In November, it announced a new investment of $4.6 million from a group of investors. Based in Germany, InPlanet collaborates with farmers in Brazil, aiming to remove 1 million tons of CO2 by...
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Compliance and Voluntary Carbon Markets in the EU & US
Criticism of VCM is very common. But what about CCM?! Compliance Carbon Markets face design and political economy issues as well. Could we replace them both with industrial policy? Maybe, but that has trade-offs too. For what is a climate-concerned person to root? This show delves into the...
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What Does It Mean When Oil Majors Buy Biochar?
Do carbon removal suppliers and registries have a responsibility in choosing their customers, or in enforcing how their carbon removals are used? Is it better that the money go to carbon removal than alternative uses? What matters, and at which magnitudes? In today's episode of Carbon Removal...
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The Rise of Climate Law within Carbon Removal
Law structures so much of our lives, but can feel inaccessible to those untrained. It is also in flux! How is the law being changed in response to climate change? Which laws can be adapted to suit our climate-changing country and world? And which are unprepared for new challenges? Today's episode...
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Biotech Trees w/ Living Carbon
Biotech trees: the new frontier This week on Carbon Removal Newsroom, we sat down with Maddie Hall, CEO and co-founder of Living Carbon, to discuss how her company enhances the ability of photosynthetic organisms to draw down and store carbon from the atmosphere through the responsible use of...
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New CDR Developments in the EU
A lot has been happening in Europe lately.To break it all down for us, we’re joined by Sebastian Manhart, senior policy advisor at Carbonfuture and Initiator and Chair of the DVNE, Germany's CDR association.The episode discusses three major topics: 1) The good, the bad, and the surprising news…
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Is Large-Scale CDR Sustainable?
Is Large-Scale CDR Sustainable? Two recent journal publications point to potential risks associated with large-scale carbon dioxide removal (CDR). Is 10 gigatons annually a realistic and sustainable target? Should we aim for 1 gigaton, or could 28 be feasible? What land use and energy limitations...
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Photochemical Carbon Removal w/Banyu Carbon
What is Photochemical Carbon Removal? In this episode of Carbon Removal Newsroom we learn how two professors from the University of Washington went from studying coral on the late Marlon Brando’s private island, to developing an energy efficient process that removes carbon dioxide from the ocean....
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Can CDR weather the climate tech downturn
How’s the CDR economic outlook for 2024? Sightline Climate recently reported that investment for the entire climate tech industry dropped 30% in 2023. Similarly, Pitchdeck released a report specifically outlining carbon removal's recent dip in VC funding. However, Captura just announced a $21.5...
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New CDR Policy and Resources in 2024
What's new in carbon removal? Join us for the 2024 Carbon Removal Newsroom kickoff! Will 2024 see the emergence of universal carbon market standards? December saw a coalition formed by leading regulatory bodies. We unpack the implications of California Bill 1305. How does this legislation mandate...
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Carbon Removal at COP28 + 2023's CDR Wrapped
The world’s annual climate summit, COP28, has wrapped up in Dubai. As usual, the massive gathering will end without an all-encompassing deal to fix the climate, but with many new side deals, pledges, and announcements that are very relevant to our climate future. Boosters and critics alike will…
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Progress on Woody Biomass Burial
Biomass burial is a CDR methodology that we haven’t yet dug into on our show. Compared to some CDR techniques, biomass burial is a surprisingly simple approach. It involves burying wood trimmings underground to prevent decomposition and thus, the release of carbon back into the atmosphere. Our...
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What Changed for CDR in 2023- and What Didn't
2023 is coming to a close, and a lot has happened in the world of CDR this year. We’re going to take a look at the year in carbon removal to find out what’s changed in the last year- and what hasn’t. Investment in CDR remains strong, with many big deals making headlines- but what hasn’t changed?...
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Is There a Role for Mandates to Drive CDR?
This week, we’re bringing you a panel discussion from the Institute for Carbon Removal Law and Policy’s annual CDR conference. Our policy panelist, Wil Burns, hosted the conference and led this panel discussion on the role of mandates in growing CDR in the US. The US government has stepped…
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Carbon Removal India Alliance
In recent months, we’ve covered CDR developments in the EU, followed CDR’s role in international climate agreements, and interviewed startups working to bring DAC to Kenya. There’s so much happening with CDR around the globe that it’s a challenge to cover all the news of carbon removal’s rise....
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CDR Industry Responds to Scrutiny
As CDR’s notoriety increases, so too does the scrutiny upon it. Carbon removal companies are beginning to deploy in communities, and are facing local concerns about the effect their projects will have communities. As these companies work to communicate the benefits of their projects, a CDR trade...
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New Science Says Biochar is Very Permanent
In our guest’s corner of the geoscience field, inertinites are well-known to be stable forms of carbon. So Hamed Sanei was surprised to learn that there was significant debate over the stability of CO2 storage in biochar, which is an inertinite. In his view, the science of that question has been...
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U.S. Government Becomes a CDR Buyer
A few weeks ago, the US government announced it would directly purchase carbon removal. The Department of Energy released news of a $35 million fund to procure CDR credits. The prize fund will take the form of offtake agreements and cover four pathways. More and more governments are funding CDR...
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CDR Policy is 'Hot' in the EU
Not long ago it was difficult to find any information about the carbon removal ecosystem in Europe. Beyond academic papers, and a researcher or two at larger environmental non-profits, CDR policy was not an area with a mature ecosystem. The situation is much different today. Not only is the EU...
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Lots Happening in CDR Business
It’s been a few months since our business panel has gathered to break down the many headlines coming from the world of CDR. On this episode we’ll talk about some of the biggest news from September: new funds, new deployments, new corporate purchases, and a gathering of the who’s who in carbon...
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Building the MRV Tech of the Future
Carbon removal credits need to be much more trustworthy than carbon offsets are today in order to scale-up CDR. On last week’s show, we covered the news that the voluntary carbon markets have shrunk this year. After many carbon offset projects have come under scrutiny, corporate buyers have grown...
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Tipping Point for Carbon Markets?
The voluntary carbon market (VCM) has a total value of over $2 billion, and some predictions show it growing to $10 billion in just a few years. But the integrity of the carbon offsets available has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years, causing demand to slow and prices to go down....
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10 CDR Headlines from July
This month, there’s been a flurry of business news in the CDR world. We’re taking August off from the show, but before we go we’re going to dive into 10 stories that broke in the last few weeks, that have big implications for the carbon removal industry. On this episode hear about companies…
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Southern Hemisphere's First DAC w/ Octavia
Last week Octavia Carbon announced they are planning to build a DAC plant in the Great Rift Valley in Kenya, the first such plant in the Southern Hemisphere. The Valley formed as a result of three tectonic plates meeting in one place. This phenomenon has created unique geology, which the...
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Global Policy Roundup
We’ve been covering a lot of US state and federal CDR policy in the last few episodes. Today we’re taking a much-needed international trip and discussing some critical stories happening across the globe. Zimbabwe’s government has announced new regulations on voluntary carbon offset trading to...
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Carbon180 and Xprize on Environmental Justice
The Xprize’s Carbon Removal prize has been one of the most exciting stories in CDR. As it seeks to pump $100 million towards carbon removal projects, the organization is also taking steps to ensure that funding supports companies that benefit, rather than harm, the communities they work in. This…
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Ambitious CDR Activism in California
If you’ve been following the development of CDR policy, you’ve probably heard of the volunteer advocacy group OpenAir Collective. Just a few weeks ago our guest Sebastian Manhart said on this show “There’s no state that has policy movement that OpenAir collective didn’t have their fingers all…
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[Bonus Ep- Rebroadcast] Time to Think Small w/ Todd Myers
This conversation is a re-run of a segment from an episode we released earlier this month. On this episode we welcome a thought leader in free-market environmental policy - Todd Myers, the Director of the Center for the Environment at the Washington Policy Center. His 2022 book, “Time to Think...
About this show
A panel show where guests discuss current events from the world of carbon removal.Please note that this is the legacy feed for the show from when it was produced by Nori.
Hosted by
Carbon Removal Strategies LLC
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